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sian22redux · 6 years

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Entanglements

by sian22redux

For @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan ‘s Angsty writing challenge: Star’s Marvel Mayhem

Prompt: ‘He was acting like our kiss had broken him, and his reaction was breaking me.’

Bucky x reader

Rating: M

Summary: The fight for love is sometimes harder than the mission.

How Bucky and Y/N of Private Party came to be together.

Timeline: After Wakanda of Black Panther end scenes, but assumes IW is over and he’s safe.

Tags: oral sex-mentioned, het, canon-compliant mayhem, hurt/comfort, angst, angst, angst

Thank you so so much to the heroic @wheelrider for expert beta’ing, even in a fandom that is not hers!! And to awesome @theycallmebecca for checking it worked!

—————————————-

The first time it happens, it is just a drunken hookup.

The party at Avengers Tower is star-spangled, loud, and pulsing fun; rare vodka fueled and graced by the hottest DJ in New York. You’ve left your uniform and new medal of valour in the hospitality suite Miss Potts has thoughtfully laid on. Donned a slinky black cocktail dress and four-inch heels and walked into the space on Mr Stark’s arm, blushing at his gushing praise.

Thank heaven this evening event is more relaxed than the White House’s lavish ballroom. Your knees had knocked so loud you were sure that the President had heard. Visibility is not your thing. Or speeches. But your few heartfelt words had tumbled out, applauded by brass and dough-faced senators and Bucky had stood, smiling, looking oh so perfectly edible in a charcoal suit. He’d winked at you, a shining in his eyes that was almost as bright as in the moment your marksmanship had saved his life.

Perhaps you hadn’t imagined his yearning after all.

Tony plies you with whiskey sours, and sometime after the fourth (or fifth?) Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson coax you out onto the dance floor. Time for some fun. Bucky stands and stares and takes it in: Steve’s hilariously sloppy groove, Sam’s easy sway. He’s frowning adorably, critiquing every move until he’s had enough of watching amateurs. He sets down his beer, absolutely murder struts out onto the dance floor, and with a ‘my turn punk’ rips you from their arms. The music settles into something smooth and slow (has Steve’s had a hand it that?) but then suddenly Bucky leans in. Cheek to cheek and hip to hip. There’s a fire blazing up inside that takes the pair of you by surprise, and when Bucky whispers, voice molasses dark and slow, “Doll, let’s escape,” you go.

Oh god.

You wake up so hung over it feels like you need to shave your tongue. Your dress is nowhere in sight and Bucky is sprawled out on his stomach. The bedclothes are mostly on the floor, his evening tux makes a trail of black and white against cream carpet and your (only) lacy underthings dangle off the lamp.

Fuck, what were you thinking?

Weren’t, obviously. You’d let the heady abandon of the evening, the crackling electricity between you both mess with your hard-earned self control, but it just can’t be. This man is your assignment, the one you are set to guard from the tentacles of a wounded, dying global empire that is trying to grab hold.

Best not to stick around. You lever upright, stagger to the washroom, run a wet hand through your tangled hair and try not to notice the lurid hickey on your collarbone.

Your dress is underneath the dresser (?), you slip it on without a sound, but ugh, the shoes are a pain: your feet are swollen from dancing for so long and so you fumble, trying to do up the flimsy straps. Finally, the prong slots through the tiny hole. All set.

Just as you find your purse and reach across the bedside table for your thong, a silver hand shoots out and clasps your wrist.

Gently.

But not planning on letting go.

“Doll, where ya going?” Bucky cracks one eye open and the corner of his mouth quirks up. “No one’s on this morning. Tony promised.”

“Got a briefing,” you lie, wincing internally, hating yourself for doing it, but this is a one-time thing and you do not plan on speaking of it.

Again.

Or ever.

The disappointment that clouds the lazy sparkle in his eyes is something to avoid. You hastily turn away, but at the door you pause guiltily for far too long. At last, you speak to the quiet resignation from the bed.

“Thank… thank you.”

Safe. Or almost. Steve Rogers wakes up early. He’s showered after an early run, set up in the kitchen; got french toast frying and washed wineglasses in the drain tray. He’s grinning. Wide and hopeful just like an excited Labrador.

“Breakfast will be ready in a jif.”

You blink in the too=bright space and think, Fuck my life.

“Captain… uhh.”

What the ever lovin’ hell should you say??

Sorry, can’t stay after banging your best friend. Can’t eat cuz I might just puke. Or better yet…yes I have read DAOD 5019-1 but this does not constitute inappropriate fraternization across the ranks.

“Not hungry, Corporal?” Steve shrugs those massive shoulders and flips a tea towel across his arm, peeking at the toast’s browning underside. “Suit yourself.”

You do.

But no regrets.

It had been too wonderful for that.

—————-

The second time it happens, you tell yourself it is just the frantic release of relief.

It’s been another too-close-for-comfort call. Six months past cryo in Wakanda and the insanity that was the Infinity War, and you’d think in the aftermath the remnants of Hydra would no longer care. But they do, and can’t help but see he’s back, and if they can’t control the Asset, they want him gone.

There is a careful balance between keeping Bucky safely whole and actually giving him a life.

You’re walking up out of the subway into Battery Park’s wintery sun, a hologram cover hiding your M24 because you just can’t saunter past New York’s Sunday shoppers and happy families pushing strollers openly armed to the teeth.

Bucky’s a block in front, sunglasses on and hood of his dark puffy jacket pulled right up because camouflage is necessary and the stiff southwesterly off the Hudson is cutting through the naked trees. He’s heading for the SeaGlass carousel where he will stand and smile, hands sunk deep in pockets, remembering the original aquarium he and Steve delighted in another lifetime ago.

After two months of tracking him on every outing, you know him well.

James Barnes loves plums and granola bars. Extra whip at Starbucks and hunting for old comic books. The Hayden planetarium and giant, hairy, slobbery dogs. A fresh trim means things are good because Nat can get close to him with shears. A fringe of days-old stubble means he’s having harder nights. The triggers are gone, but not the memory of what he’s done. When he stops, stock-still in the middle of the sidewalk, lips moving and new hand clenched into a fist, you know he’s centering. Running through a routine in whatever language comes to his head.

At least he is a better subject than most. Always watching. Baseball cap or hood pulled down, changing his route each day, not making it easy on the goons who might dog his steps. Or you.

It’s part of what makes this detail fun. This day he’s slid into an empty booth at Gigino, near enough the front for light but not so near he hasn’t a good view of the door. The notebook’s out, bristling with sticky tabs like a multicolour hedgehog. You are sitting diametrically across, scanning everything around but him, cuz hit men don’t all look like Brock Rumlow after all and folks carrying things in bags make a prickle at your nape. Your unobstructed view down the gravel walks is good, but somehow, a figure by the Liberty dock sets the hairs rising on your arm. Hunched. Looking back too often to the restaurant. Arm akimbo and hiding something.

You whisper urgently into the comms, hustle out of the doors and fire on the run. It’s a challenge but not long range, nothing like the shot before, but precision is the thing. You have no intention of damaging any of the good folk around.

The subject drops. Bystanders freak, scattering in all directions, and even as two agents materialize to cluster around Bucky as a precaution, he looks unerringly across at you, recognition and open longing on his face.

Yeah. Well. Me too, pal.

You melt away into the shadows, and after the NYPD have it all locked down, you find yourselves thrown together back at the Tower for a hastily convened debrief.

Coulson’s reviewing footage and Fury’s frowning, tapping impatient fingers on the tabletop, talking about the need for better eyes, but you’re having trouble focusing.

There’s a thirst in Bucky’s eyes that matches the one making your nether regions throb. God, how good would it be to strip off the Stark body armour underneath his vest. Press your skin along the length of him and feel every hot, hard inch. Too good. To be avoided, but beside you the metal hand flexes back and forth. As if he’s read your mind.

“Soldier?” Fury’s question drops like a bomb into your awareness. Neither of you are listening, too aware of each other to focus on mundane things like strategy.

“Umm, yeah…” Buck licks his lips and starts again. “I mean, no, I don’t know any more about that sleeper cell.

Fury turns to rake you both with his good eye. After one eternal minute, he shakes his head, looking more bemused than mad.

“Get outta here. Both of you.”

You don’t need to be told a second time.

Buck stalks out into the hall and you follow, thinking how it was too close a call and you are pissed Hydra’s not backing down and goddammit why are the other agents letting these shitballs get so very close and it’s almost like you are vibrating

Fuck. Wrong choice of word.

Your skin is positively alive with how aware of him you are, nerves jangled, sparking white hot arcs of lust, and then he has to make it worse. He turns and devours you with those ocean eyes as he slams the button for the elevator.

Hard.

With his prosthetic hand.

The thought of it on you again makes your bones almost liquefy.

“Steve’s off doing PR.”

The few spare words are said with a crooked grin, eyes challenging, and like lightening you are both struck on. Somehow, your legs are wound about his waist, lips locked, your back up against the cool mirror of the elevator wall, so engrossed you don’t notice when the motion stops. His metal arm bangs through the apartment and bedroom doors, makes the hinges scream in protest, and then without warning the axis of your world flips over. You are both horizontal. On the bed, frantically shedding clothes until his cock sinks into your molten core. You arch your back with the utter bliss of it, strokes hard and fast and frenzied, rising higher and then, inexplicably, he stills; drags his lips off your nipple to stare intently at your face.

“Y/N I ain’t gonna last. I…”

You open your eyes and catch his gaze. His eyes are dark and wide and filled with wonder. As caught off guard as you by the pure fury of the need– but oh you are not going there. Not thinking about how right this feels, how close and perfectly in tune you are. Nope. Nuh unh. This is sex, not making love. Scratching an itch. Purely mechanical.

“Bucky, move!”

You flip up your hips just so, knowing instinctively what it will do to him, and pull his hip bones closer, tighter, until you’re both grinning and he’s moaning, long and low, shuddering as he spills and you come apart, shining in the afterglow.

This time you deliberately stay the night.

You curl up into the crook of his flesh arm because you’re weak. Just can’t pull yourself away. It’s warm. And easy. And some part of you wants the peace—for him and you.

When you eventually awaken, stiff and achy, smelling of sweat and musk and the haute perfume of the disguise you never bothered to wash off, the sun hasn’t risen yet. Bucky’s dead to the world, face soft and slack in sleep, so beautiful and vulnerable it almost hurts.

For a moment, breakfasting together flits across your brain, but no. Way too risky. Too much like normal couple life.

You slide out from under a heavy bicep and set your feet soundlessly on the chill of the floor, ignoring a lazy snuffle, but, by the time your shrug back on your (ridiculous) Dolce coat, the worry line has settled on his brow again.

Damn. For a few precious hours, the perennial mark of his mistreatment had erased. You want to run a finger down it, smooth away the shadowed ridge with a soft caress, but you do not dare. That is exactly how another bonfire could ignite.

Instead, you gather up your rifle, activate the hologram and tip-toe away. Like a thief in the night or a spy who’s set a honey trap.

You text him ‘sweet dreams’ because this is not the bitch you want to be…

————————-

The third time it happens—well, it’s just pure weakness…

You are, of necessity, an expert at disguise. Part of a scout-sniper’s training is advanced stalking skills, keeping yourself hidden from a target just five feet away in rough open bush; you’ve done that and mastered alternate camouflage for downtown New York. Four changes of outfit a day if Bucky’s going far. Rocker grunge in ripped jeans and blue streaked hair. Finance exec in Burberry trench and heels. Thank heaven platform sneakers with lace and skirts are a thing; easier to run in those.

Bucky may not pick you out, doesn’t know exactly where you are, but he knows you’re there. Today, your hair is brown, next week redhead, after that could be pink: anything but your natural, and naturally noticeable, pale blonde. It’s like a game—you hiding and him guessing where you might be. He shows it (and how he’s memorized every conversation that you’ve had) in little actions meant just for you.

One morning, he ‘just happens’ to be forgetful and leaves a cup of mocha/hold-the-whip on the bench where he just sat. Another scorching afternoon, he buys your favourite Oddfellows miso cherry cup and leaves it safely in the shade of a blue postbox. Once, he spends two hours stalking every exhibit at the Met’s armory museum because you’d admitted you’ve never been. (You like old rifles. What can you say?)

How can you not fall for this man? He’s sweet and kind and deadly. Wants the best thing for everybody if not for himself, and will soon become impossible to resist.

Scratch that. Is. Is impossible to resist.

Damn his super hearing. One lunch strolling past Agent Provocateur, he catches your quiet sigh at something flirty but way, waaay out of your snack bracket and, the next thing you know, he’s marching into Victoria’s Secret. Cruising the racks in exactly your right size. Leaving the pink bag wedged behind a subway seat.

Collecting it is just not wasting money, right?

It goes on like this for weeks, until the day the teasing shit walks into Narcisse, buys chocolate body paint and leads you straight back in the direction of the Tower.

Oh god.

This necessitates yet another reconnoiter with wardrobe at the safe house. No one thinks twice about a well-groomed Chanel-suited woman visiting Tony Stark.

When the morning comes and you crouch, hand poised above the new skimpy scrap of lace, silently agonizing whether to bring or leave, Bucky sits up in bed. Confused. Dark hair temptingly messy and fingers reaching out.

“Y/N? Where’s the fire. It’s early yet.”

Fuck, he makes this so very hard. Bucky wants something for himself and you want to give it, but this is, if not exactly wrong, so far from right.

“Ah…” You don’t know what to say. The sheets are rumpled low about his hips and the comforter sprawls across the floor. He’d shoved it off. Kneeling between your legs to plunder you mercilessly with his tongue.

Oh, Christ, Y/N, don’t think of that.

“I want to get in a run.” The lie comes easily. You hate running, but he doesn’t know that yet.

“Gonna hafta change those heels,” he chuckles, stretching languidly. “You’ll need your coffee first. Steve said he’d put some on first thing.”

You pretend to relent, smile and plant the softest of kisses on the knotted scars of his shoulder.

“See you later,” you murmur, intending to go straight on home, but Steve Rogers has other plans. Ever the gentleman and always up with the birds, he’s made pancakes. And sausage. And fruit salad with blueberries.

The table is already set for three.

In the awkward silence, he misunderstands why your mouth is open.

“Syrup or sugar and lemon juice? Buck’s mom was British.”

The assumption you don’t understand the condiments is just too much. Turning him down again would be far too rude.

You sit, wrinkled disguise and all, and take a bite of bacon, realizing you have slept with the subject eight times over three different nights and you had no clue what his mother’s background was.

The fact you want to know is somewhat startling.

From down the hall, you hear the whoosh of water beating down and an adorably off-tune whistle. Your faithless libido says if you’d played your cards just right you’d be in there too. Soaping up his six pack and the dimples in his butt cheeks. Going yet another round.

Desperately, you hide your flaming cheeks in a perfectly foamy cappuccino, but Steve isn’t fooled.

“You know,” he remarks, casually forking up the detritus of an entire fluffy stack. “Buck never has nightmares when you are here.”

It’s a hard lesson, but one you obviously have to learn.

Again.

Never, never underestimate Captain America’s mastery of tactics.

———————————–

A week, a month, and you fall into a routine. Bucky’s shadow in the day and his teddy bear at night. A watcher on his six. Fire when he needs it and softness when he does not. That he’s let down his guard and become intimate with someone shows just how far he’s come. A growing part of you wants to do this, cheer on every little bit of taking back himself; but another part says stop.

You pride yourself on your skill and professional approach. Dispassionate execution. It is part of the reason you are so very good. You do not get distracted. At all. You’ve got no baggage. No serious exes clutter up your past. You have not spoken to your folks in years (their commune frowns on ‘making war’).

It comes as something of a shock to need your daily dose of Buck. Sarcastic jokes. Lips like silk. Muscles rippling underneath your touch.

It shouldn’t matter but it does. The mission is to protect him.

Even if it means from yourself.

———————————-

It is the shot, just a few centimeters stray, that settles things in your mind.

Sure, everyone has rougher days. Aim a little off. Skin jumpy and so tight it messes with your zen. But not you. Never you. Your concentration is absolute. You just can’t miss and that is exactly why Coulson first brought you in. Ms. Hill, in charge of Stark’s security, wants the best of the very best and you are it.

Next to the man you are sworn to protect.

Barton’s grinning and looking at the minor spread on the target sheet, leaning casually on his bow. “What are you thinking of, Y/N?“ he laughs, blue eyes sliding up to your face. “Sure ain’t your work.”

Your cheeks flame up. He doesn’t mean it. This is Clint never passing up a chance to take the piss but still it gets your brain cells firing. What were you thinking of? Slim hips in black tac pants. A stubbled, chiseled jaw. Silver fingers cradling the barrel of a gun.

Shit.

Bucky’s standing not ten feet away in the next corral and, fuck, you can’t help yourself. It’s the first time you’ve seen him all that day and the need flares up; wild and feral and messing with your head. You want to know how he’s doing. Ask about his bout with Steve, see if he wants to grab some lunch, make sure he’s eating right because he’s looking a little hollow in the cheeks and…

Stop.

You’re shocked and frankly terrified. Is this love? Infatuation? A school-girl crush? Your heart is raw but what is this for him? A diversion? Something steady? You have no idea, you don’t get much time to talk but you know what it shouldn’t be: too serious. He is still recovering. You’re his rebound and it isn’t healthy. Buck needs to date casually, get a better sense of himself and Jesus fucking Christ he is your job.

If Coulson or Fury find out, they’re entitled to put you on report. A black mark on your copybook. Though that isn’t what’s got you truly rattled.

You have to be a perfect shot.

For him.

His life depends upon it.

When you finally find the courage to rip the bandage off, you learn first hand that bullshit in Russian has an awfully familiar tone.

Bucky’s a solid wall of disagreement, arms crossed over his chest. “Babe, it doesn’t have to be this way.”

“It does.” You raise your chin. “I am here to protect you. I can’t do that when my focus is…distracted.”

“It’s not that way for Nat and Clint.”

Really? You file that new tidbit of gossip away for more analysis, but still have to regretfully shake your head. “Not the same. They’re a team, trained to work in tandem. This is different.”

“It’s not.”

“It is.”

“Not true.”

His certainty that you’ll relent begins to melt away. “Y/N, don’t do this. I thought we had something. Were working on it. Can be something more.”

“Please.”

He falls silent in the face of your hard bitten stare. Lost eyes dark and pleading. More like a kicked puppy than a famous murderbot, but still you hold.

You can’t. You wish you could, but no.

“It has to be this way for me.”

To blunt the hurt, you stretch up on tip-toe to press a delicate apology to his lips.

Bucky flinches, acting like your kiss has broken him and his reaction is breaking you.

‘I thought we had something?’

The accusation rings in your ears all the days to come, but even tears don’t put the heart fires out.

——————————-

You do your job. Break down and reassemble your gun for the soothing repetition. Keep well away. Do exactly what you need to do and not one iota more, but watching him all day is torture.

Both of you are miserable.

You hide it. Bucky not so much. His blue eyes lose their spark; become haggard and bloodshot. You know you’ve put the dark bags there, but at least they’re there, you tell yourself when another hit gets foiled.

Everybody notices. On those rare times you have to be in the Tower, Steve remains so professionally polite and clipped it’s just like being shot. Next to him, no one knows. You sit, mute and hurting, inconveniently placed beside Pepper and Maria at a SHIELD event, taking in Natasha’s blistering attack on ‘the gold dipped bitch’ who’s hurt her friend. They know Bucky, too. How much the silent, morose Soldier is a capitulation; how working through hurt makes it harder for him to keep the last dregs of Hydra programming at bay. You hate yourself for it. But there really is no other way and now you realize, it’s getting harder. Your concentration’s worse if anything and it would be kinder to stop torturing you both.

The sick reality falls like lead into your stomach.

You can’t be there at all.

————————-

You never planned to work for SHIELD.

You’d enlisted at age eighteen because with no formal schooling and no degree, Uncle Sam was the only outfit that would promise you a job. Your long-honed hunting skills were evident in basic; refined in sniper school until you were something of a legend. You’d set your heart on Special Ops, did every extra ribbon and rotation but still were not sent to the front. Women were not then given combat roles. It sucked. And if your superiors were sympathetic, they still attached you to endless close protection details. Sent you to the AMU competitions. Ignored your increasingly strident, respectful pleas for reassignment until you’d thrown your resignation papers down and marched straight off the base.

Seemed like just minutes passed before a bland, grey-suited man tapped you on the shoulder.

“Miss Y/N?” said Philip Coulson with a smile. “Can I buy you a cup of coffee?”

Nick Fury is the best boss you’ve never officially had, because sometimes your Army cover is somewhat helpful and Phil swiftly arranged for your resignation papers disappear.

The rest is history.

——————————

“You want to be reassigned.”

“Yes, Sir.”

You will not squirm, but the Director, away from prying ears in his secure coordination room, is fixing you with his patented thousand-metre stare. “You really want to go back to Fort Bragg and do paperwork? Get trotted out when they need an affirmative action photo shoot?”

You groan. Ugh. They will and you know it, but anywhere than SHIELD is the objective. Better a clean break, you think, but Fury’s not done with you yet.

“I hear the First Daughter had some death threats. FBI’s asked us if we can spare a gun. We could reassign you to Sparrow’s detail.”

Oh fuck no. The President’s petulant and self-absorbed teenager burns through agents faster than she raids Bloomingdales.

It takes everything in you to do that nod.

Fury’s one visible eyebrow nearly hits the roof. “You are serious.”

“Sir. I am.” You’ve called his bluff. You stand to attention and wait for it. The serious suggestion you know is coming.

“Thing is, Y/N, we were going to recommend you for a new assignment,” Fury paces, hands behind his back and shoulders to the view. “It involves training. As hard as anything you’ve done.”

Really? You’re skeptical. You’ve done the Rangers even if they didn’t let you in the field. Toughed it out with the toughest the Army had.

What he says next, nearly has your jaw upon the floor.

“We want you permanently cross-posted to the Advanced Threat Containment Unit. Watch Sergeant Barnes full time. Close in as he transitions to his next new role.”

Surprise makes you blurt out the first thing in your head. “You can’t mean on combat missions?!”

“Mhmm.”

But that means… “You’re sending Bucky back into the field!”

“Got a problem with that, Corporal?”

Your mouth is hanging open. “But you can’t…”

‘I don’t do that anymore’ rings in your ears.

“You’re going to let him…”

Fury looks, not mad, but entirely amused. “Not do assassinations, no. But let him train and participate.”

“You can’t,” you stubbornly repeat. He’s stupidly reckless. Prone to throwing himself headlong into everything. Not completely healed. “Not ready,” you finish lamely.

“You disagree with the psych eval?”

You shuffle your feet. This is thin ground. SHIELD does not employ folks with fake degrees. “No, Sir.”

The Director smiles, as warmly as you’ll get. Which is to say, about as a warm as a melting icecube. “Good. Sergeant Barnes needs someone who has his back and Captain Rogers can’t do that leading from the front.”

So true. But also why Bucky shouldn’t be out at all. “Sir, he forgets…” To care about himself enough.

“Precisely why I’ve suggested you be assigned. You are the best markswoman we have got. Look, I’m not entirely happy with this either, but he can’t sit and knit forever. Stark says he’s ready. The -ologists say he’s ready. And he’s spending his days moping around the compound too much.” You wince inside, knowing the cause of that. “Getting some of his own back might even help.”

It might.

And someone will try to take Bucky out again.

And he will be focused on everything but himself.

Shit.

There is no choice.

You know you can keep him safe.

Fury, the bastard, just stands and cracks his deaths-head grin.

———————————

Training with the Avengers is more brutal than anything you’ve done.

Steve’s in charge, and Nat. Both merciless. Both focused on honing you into something more than a gun. It’s brutal and physical but that isn’t the hardest part.

Bucky is there training, too.

It feels like being a cat on a hot tin roof. Circling each other. Carefully. Two negative terminals on a magnet—repelling as far away as they can get.

“Corporal.”

“Sergeant.”

You’ve said no and Bucky is bending over backwards to be polite and perfectly correct. No physical contact outside sparring. No first names unless you can help it. No interaction at all, outside missions, to be honest. Tony, oblivious (at least you think he is), organizes movie nights and BBQs that you mostly miss. You follow Buck’s lead, keep yourself more closed than usual. Socialize with your old SHIELD squad when you can, haunt your room when there is no time.

It takes a toll.

You are not, by nature, a recluse but this is how it has to be. You can’t stand the brief flashes of disappointment in Bucky’s eyes, the wariness with which he interacts. They cut at your resolve. Shred it, until you’re forced to shut out everything but mission goals.

They come and go. Days. Weeks. The strain coils higher, but you tell yourself you are doing it for him: the man whose eyes haunt your waking moments. You become a shell, sapped of life and desiccated, but each shot is crisp and clean. This makes it right, but not natural. Eventually, you switch roles like understudies in a play. He is the pro, silent and efficient as he does his job, while you are the damaged one, snapping at every little thing, recklessly taking risks, heedless of your own safety.

It all seems worthwhile until the day you walk silently up the empty ramp for the Quinjet and find Steve and Sam huddled by the cockpit.

They don’t hear you slide like a shadow into your berth.

“His nightmares are getting worse.”

Sam whistles low. “Worse? Man, they were bad before.”

Steve slowly shakes his head. “It’s like Wakanda before he went in cryo. I honestly don’t know how he is even functioning.”

“Yeah. But the shit truth is there nothing you or I can do about it.” Sam sounds resigned. “Unless he comes clean on what it is that’s eating at him, and you know he won’t do that easily. Dude’s too stubborn.”

“He’s not the only one.”

Steve, you realize later, says this for you. His eyes bore like a laser into your forehead when he comes over to sit down, shrugging his five-point harness on.

“Corporal.”

“Captain.”

“You good?”

“Yes, Sir.”

You fiddle unnecessarily with the heat shield on your stock. Out of the corner of one eye, you can see him frown, loop his fingers into his belt and sigh, but you know he won’t call you out, won’t give away your private business to anyone. Still, the optimist in him can’t help but hope. Steve Rogers is really like a giant collie dog that shepherds a whole flock of misfits—he isn’t happy unless everyone’s set right; and you and Buck are waay out on the fringe. It feels as if the solid, brooding bulk of his suit is willing you to change your mind. But you are stubborn.

(A trait that you and Bucky share, along with snark and an obsession with perfect lattes.)

While you wait for everyone to load, you keep your head down and bite your lip, worrying about what you’ve heard. Fuck, if Buck’s not sleeping that makes both of you, and to do this job you need to be on. You’re good. You’re fine, you can tolerate a little sleep deprivation, but Bucky—that’s not right. Years of cryo and mind-wipes have messed with the circuitry. He needs sleep to heal, more than most, and you shake your head, knee vibrating like Clint’s bowstring, dreading but anxiously awaiting for him to load.

You don’t have long to wait. Nat and Clint clatter past and take the pilot seats, Tony swans through and starts briefing Steve with last-minute intel and then Bucky’s there. Stowing his gun and hiding behind a fall of dark, lank hair. You’re shocked. It’s been a week since you saw him last, in the common room, but oh god he is worse. Clearly. He barely responds when Clint does a system check. Grunts at Steve’s chirpy welcome. Falls into his seat across from you and that’s when it starts. The sense of failure. The hurt that the brutal truth is you are making this all worse; doing exactly what you had wanted to avoid.

Bucky’s not safer with you there. He’s more in danger and the knowledge of it sucks out all the oxygen.

You spend the three-hour trip and first half hour of the ensuing firefight under water, surfacing for precious gulps of air between the mounting pressure in your chest; like your harness is strapped down way too tight.

You thought that you’d be helping him, but oh, Y/N, you are really not.

You need to leave.

Entirely.

Goddamn it hurts, but you have no time. The heinous bastards who have grabbed a SHIELD tracking station have their dander up, are resisting with all they’ve got and you need to be on your game following as Bucky’s cover. You leap and sight, neutralize another target still feeling like you can’t get air, watching his lithe form duck and roll, mercilessly slamming a terrorist to the ground.

His face is all dark angles and unhappy shadows. Lined and smudged, a ghost of the man who’d smiled, run his fingers through your hair, gently nuzzling at your neck

“Babe, I could stay this way forever.”

The flash of memory is like a sucker punch to the gut.

You’ve screwed this whole thing up.

Can’t do your fucking job cuz you gave in and slept with the man who is your mission and now you’re… what?

Miserable in his company. Miserable without.

In love.

Fuck.

This is not how things should be.…

You’re drowning in the unhappiness, but even with a red haze of doomed understanding filtering across your gaze, you can’t not see it.

The motherfucker three hundred yards away taking aim at Bucky’s head

You need to pot the asshat now–but your view is obstructed by the base’s cell tower and, so, you leap out, aim and squeeze, heedless of your own back. The concrete behind the man’s dead eyes neatly disintegrates in a spray of elegant debris and your world dissolves in a rain of stabbing hurt, like a whole river of gravel is fired from the sky.

You fall.

There’s a roaring in your ears and the breathlessness is getting worse. Iron and smoke tinge the soup of dust and rock and gas that your lungs don’t want to breathe. Concussion grenade, must be: and, at first, you struggle, but the twisted beam that roofs your little world won’t even shift. It’s close, pressing on your chest and you will yourself to fight the panic down. Don’t disturb it. Don’t make the situation worse. You want to laugh at that—fuck no—all you do is make situations worse— but the breath in hurts like full-on hell.

That has to be good, doesn’t it? It’s when you don’t feel anything you’re going down…

Ok.. just…lie. Breathe… take inventory. There’s a trickle of blood running from your hair down through your eyes: you can taste it upon your tongue. Your left hand stings, but your right is just lying here. Numb. Not moving. Broken probably, but that is the least of your concerns.

The pressure of the beam bears down steadily.

And with it your space to get some air.

“Y/N!”

From somewhere to your left there comes a voice. Faint and muffled. As if someone is shouting way way far away and you realize—this is it. You are going to die. No ones gonna arrive in time but weirdly you are ok. Bucky is allright. You saw him flip and roll away. That’s good…that’s everything. You cough on the settling dust and steel and try to take shallower breaths. Your heart’s too fast and the air’s too thin and you close your eyes. Float, indistinct at the edges. Nothing hurts too much right now. It’s good. You can close your eyes and drift away.

“Y/N!”

This time the call is muffled but louder: anguished, as if everything in the world is wrong.

A chunk of steel is wrenched away and for the first time a patch of light shines through the dim.

“Y/N, are you hurt?!”

You blink through the blood that gums your lashes. Bucky’s there. Shoulders wedged into the impossibly tiny space, eyes wide with something you are sure you have never seen.

Fear.

You want to ease his mind, but words are a little hard. “I’m ok,” comes out more wheeze than whisper.

“Hang on, we’re gonna get you out.” Bucky barks into the comms for Sam, and help, and oxygen. He turns and gingerly shoves aside the loose jagged chunks of steel to make a little space. When there’s a hand’span of pavement clear, he dips down on his left, grimacing and flexing up against the beam.

There’s a slow metallic groan, an endless pause, but eventually it lifts just barely.

But sadly not enough.

The fuzzy world is whiting out, dissolving in a ring of sparks.

“Y/N!” He frees a hand, shakes you roughly and sends a lance of agony through your chest. “Stay with me, babe, stay with me. Cavalry is coming.”

But we don’t have any horses…

The wry smile on his face is blurry. You must have whispered this out loud. He closes his eyes, resets his metal hand down against the pavement. Flexes up again. “Aiighhh!”

The monumental effort gains another precious millimeter and the sparkly whiteness starts to fade to the indigo of his vest.

“What? Can’t you hear the hoofbeats?” Bucky is shaking, sweat beading on his brow but above there is a whoosh and the carbon ion smell of repulsor jets.

“Got it, Barnes!”

“Took you long enough!” Bucky sags just slightly, protecting you in case something shifts, but mercifully the metal does not move.

Sam is crouched behind. You dimly hear his coolly calm instructions. “Barnes, don’t let her move. Pretty sure those ribs are broken. Can’t risk a pneumothorax.” Bucky squeezes out, disappears through the gap but is quickly back again, metal fingers softly pressing a cannula to your nose. The dizziness fades some more.

“Better?” His Brooklyn accent aches with hopefulness.

You nod, warily taking a deeper breath, feeling clean, cool air rush in. Fuck its good but lord it hurts. At least the world does not swim. Bucky reaches to brush some damp strands from off your brow and Sam passes a pad into the gap. You hiss as he presses the treated gauze over the worst of the cut. “Sorry. Sorry.”

He glances around the narrow space. You’re basically in a coffin. Just wide enough for your hips and long enough for your feet. When you flex your foot, your toes touch something that feels smooth. A dish? A beam? The girders of the tower have toppled like a marionette’s arms and legs when the control strings have been cut. “Gonna take a bit to cut this mess. Properly, so it doesn’t shift.”

Bucky’s right, but you’re worrying about the waste of time. “Is it safe? The cell?”

You mean the rogue Hydra group, the reason why you’re here, because if it’s not, Jesus, you are going to thump him hard. You’re useless pinned. But if there’s shooting still going on…

“Relax, babe, we got ‘em. That grenade was their hail mary pass and it’s failed. Steve and Clint and Nat are mopping up.”

Thank God. Some of the tension bleeds away, like steam from a radiator. You shiver, shock starting to set in, and, tenderly, he drapes you with a silver thermal blanket. It’s better, but now it’s time to wait. Bright arcs of light shine through the cracks and you know Tony is working as fast as he can, but still it’s hard. You’ve been strong forever, but the fear you’ve held a bay is now too much with Bucky near.

A whimper escapes your lips.

“Shushhh, baby,” he croons, leaning near to cup your cheek with a warm hand. “I’m not going anywhere. It’s all gonna be ok.” But it really isn’t. His other one, metal reflecting Tony’s blazing work, keeps stroking your tangled hair. This close you can see a forest of tiny scrapes and nicks and cuts upon his dusty skin.

And the ever present smudges of tired grey below his eyes.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” You’re stammering. You’ve been selfish, you see that now. Doing what you thought right and best for him. Totally certain you had to be the one to help and all the time the ache of want has never stopped.

It doesn’t matter. You need to be strong for him. Move on and let someone else have the watch.

“I can’t do this anymore.”

You’re not sure what you are speaking of: holding yourself together while he kneels and strokes your face, or staying at his side. Both make sense. The sounds of working are getting louder. “Barnes, I’m almost through,” crackles through the link.

A cool metal finger strokes your brow. “Hey, not much longer now.”

You turn your head, catch the light in his worried eyes. “No..us, side by side.”

There, you’ve said it. SHIELD med will patch you up. Ship you out to base where you can crumble into dust somewhere on your own.

It’s brutal but better than being an irritant. Scratching endlessly at the scab of him.

“Goddammit, Y/N. You don’t have to go.”

His growl is not hurt but sheer frustration. There’s a storm in his eyes and in the flat set of his frown. Bucky wriggles a little closer in, cradles you like the most precious thing in all the world. “Fuck, it takes this battered brain a while, but, babe, you gotta hear me out. I get it now. You’re terrified that serving alongside someone who means too much makes you vulnerable. Messes with your skills–but it doesn’t have to be that way. There’s a shakedown sure, for a little while, but Clint and Nat–they manage. Wanda manages with Viz. Steve works alongside me and we may not be lovers but our bond is just as strong.” His lips pull into the saddest smile. “I fucking need you. You. Y/N. Not the Corporal with the medals. I need you everywhere. At night, when the monsters in my head crowd close and, in the day, when I need a snarky smile. You are best thing I have had in my life and I can’t let that go.”

Bucky’s face is almost pressed against your cheek. It’s that smile, soft and warm, and just for you.

Fire in the night and a watcher on your six.

“I’ve tried, Doll, I really have, but it just doesn’t work. I need you, complicated as it is. And I won’t let you give up on us. Not without trying, anyway.”

His whisper is rough with meaning. He huffs out a little sigh and presses an achingly gentle kiss across your bloodied lips.

This time his kiss breaks you….

——————–

tags: @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan @theycallmebecca @mewsiex @emilyevanston @mycapt-ohcapt @pegasusdragontiger @winters-beauty

@badassbaker @heather-lynn @saffreelove @loricameback @nomadicpixel @missfirstavenger @prplprincez @marvel-lucy

#star’s marvel mayhem challenge #sian22redux #engtanglements #bucky barnes #reader #prequel to Private Party #angst #smangst

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until-theend-oftheline · 6 years

Text

Silver Linings

Pairing: Bucky x Reader, Clint x Reader (friendship)

Warnings: Mention of canon typical torture and violence. Fighting.

Square Filled: Craving their touch

Word Count: 1800ish

A/N: This one is written for @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan marvel mayhem challenge. My prompt is bolded in the text: “Life messes us up in so many ways, messes all of us right the hell up”

It also fills one of my squares for @marvelfluffbingo

It is my first time writing Bucky (or any of the characters really) so please judge kindly.

Thanks to the amazing, sweet and my expert on all things marvel @emilyevanston for betaing this for me.

***My fics are not to be saved nor posted on any other sites without my express written permission.***

Clint and Steve were walking down the halls of the Stark tower as Steve was catching Clint up on their latest mission. Everything had worked out in the end, but that didn’t mean there haven’t been a few kinks along the way. A young Siberian man from the village they had been trying to save from invasion had recognized Bucky as the man that had tortured and killed his parents when he was a boy. He had attacked, before Steve and Bucky had gotten the chance to reason with him, resulting in his death as he was caught in the crossfire between the Avengers and the invaders.

Needless to say, Bucky hadn’t taken it well and honestly Steve was worried about him. He had been quiet all the way back and the instant they had reached the Stark Tower he had disappeared into his room. Steve had breathed a sigh of relief when Y/N had arrived. Bucky had been a different person ever since he met her. Well maybe not different, but more like the Bucky he had once known; the boy he had grown up with. Steve had hoped that her presence would help him somehow, but now that he heard the loud voices carrying from the Bucky’s room and towards the kitchen, he regretted being so stupid. Bucky wasn’t the same. Y/N had never seen him like this before and Steve should have known better. He should have stopped her or at the very least warned her what she was walking into.

It was too late now though as the door to Bucky’s room opened and closed with a loud bang and Y/N stormed right past Clint and Steve without as much as acknowledging their presence.

“Oh boy,” Clint mumbled looking after the fuming woman before his eyes met with Steve’s. “As much as I would love to send you after her, you’d probably have better luck with grumpy down there,” Clint nodded towards Bucky’s room with a smile. Clint turned around and followed Y/N before Steve had a chance to scold him, but Clint still felt the bitchface Steve gave him on the back of his neck. It’s only effect was the smile on Clint’s face widening.

Truth be told Clint has angered his own wife more than once as he brought the baggage of their job home with him. As pissed as she had gotten, her love and affection hadn’t wavered and Clint saw the way Y/N looked at Bucky. He knew hers hadn’t either. She just didn’t understand. She was a nurse and a damn good woman, but their jobs were something else. How could anyone understand what it was like to have someone rob you of yourself? Have you kill for them without hesitation or remorse. The truth was that no one could understand. Not unless they lived it.

Clint took a deep breath as he spotted her in the small park behind the Tower. She was sitting on the grass with her legs pulled up under her as she watched the ebbs and flows of the fountain before her. She didn’t look angry. Just like Clint had expected the expression on her face was one of agony. Bucky’s pain hurt her because she loved him. She had gotten angry because he wouldn’t let her in. He wouldn’t let her help. Clint had seen the same reaction in Laura more than once when they first met. It had taken him years to let her in and even now somethings were still hard for him to share with her. He couldn't imagine what it was like for Bucky. Decades of torture and killing, of course, he was afraid to let her see the darkness.

“Hi? Mind if I sit?” Clint asked, with a small smile as she looked up at him. She didn’t say anything she just shook her head quietly. Clint felt bad for her, just like he did his own wife once in a while. He understood why Bucky tried to push her away even if he was making a mistake. He even knew that was the exact thing Steve was trying to make him see right now. Y/N wasn’t stupid she knew what kind of a man Bucky was and she knew who he had been in the past and who he had been forced to become. She knew all of it and she chose to stay. Clint knew the argument Steve would make because it was the only one Bucky would hear. Y/N had the right to make her own choice. She had the right to decide what she could and could not handle.

“I don’t need your pity,” she mumbled as Clint sat down and he couldn't help but smile.

“Good cause I don’t pity you,” he answered and her head snapped around to look at him in surprise. “You knew he was a mess when you met him and honestly I don’t think you are the kinda woman that wants to fix him either,” Clint gave her a small nudge with his shoulder and earned a smile.

“I’m not. All he has been through made him who he is now. I love who he is,” she answered truthfully before looking back to the rushing water. “I just wish he would let me in sometimes that’s all.”

“He will. In time,” Clint assured her. He couldn't be sure of course but he saw the way Bucky looked at her. He loved her and trusted her. Him redrawing at times didn’t have anything to do with her even if Clint knew Y/N probably didn’t see it like that.

“Y/N even if it wasn’t him some of the memories are still there. All of them are hiding deep down. It was still his hands that kill those people. He saw it all happen powerless to stop it,” Clint explained even if the memories pained him. If they could help Bucky and Y/N maybe they were good for something.

“Clint I’m sorry…” she began but he just shook his head with a sad smile.

“No pity. Not for you. Not for me. Not for Bucky. He’ll pull through. Listen this life messes us up in so many ways, messes all of us right the hell up but we’ll push through. Bucky too. We’ll focus on the silver linings,” Clint sent her a wink giving her hand a squeeze. He couldn’t help but feel relieved when she laughed.

“I’m a silver lining?” she laughed, causing Clint to shrug.

“To Bucky yes. Laura and the kids are mine,” he answered with a grin as he got up offering her his hand. She took it allowing him to pull her back onto her feet. “Just try and be patient with the schmuck,” Clint grinned wrapping his arm around her shoulder, leading her back to the Tower and a hopefully calmer Bucky.

Y/N tensed as they reached the kitchen and Clint sent her a reassuring smile, nudging her towards the hall and Bucky’s room. “It’ll be fine,” he assured her, praying he wasn’t lying.

She took a deep breath before knocking on the door, slowly pushing it open. Her heart broke at the sight that met her. Steve was sitting in one of the chairs, his elbows on his knees leaning against his best friend. Bucky was on the edge of the bed hiding his face in his hands not looking up until Steve greeted her.

The shock and pain in Bucky’s eyes, when they met hers, took her breath away. A part of him would always fear to lose her each time she walked out of his sight, but today he had been sure he had.

“Hi Y/N. I’ll give you two some privacy,” Steve stood up giving Bucky’s shoulder a squeeze and Y/N a grateful smile before pushing past her out the door.

“Y/N. I’m sorry I didn't mean to yell at you like that,” Bucky spoke the second Steve closed the door behind him. He didn’t move though. He sat completely frozen as if he was afraid the slightest movement would spook her. Y/N felt as if a knife was pushed through her chest. She hated he still thought she could be scared of him. She never had been and she never would be. She knew that telling him that wouldn't make a difference, not right now at least. She didn't run away because he had scared her. She ran because she was angry and hurt he wouldn't let her help him. That he wouldn’t let her even touch him when all she had needed was to feel his warmth, assuring them both he was home.

“It’s fine. Couples fight,” Y/N answered quietly as she crossed the room to sit down next to him. They didn't look at each other, as they sat in silence. His right side was pressed against her left and their eyes fixated on their hands slowly edging closer to each other. They gently started to intertwine and not until they were, did Bucky look at her. His courage fueled her and she looked up to met his gaze.

“I can’t talk about this with you doll. I’m sorry. You’re…” Bucky paused not knowing how to explain it but Y/N just smiled.

“Your silver lining,” she grinned and Bucky raised his eyebrows in confusion.

“You’re my what?” he chuckled lightly squeezing her hand and Y/N pulled a face at him, before looking down at her feet almost shyly.

“Can you do something for me?” she asked. Her voice so low it was barely audible and Bucky’s smile fell. He hated seeing her hurting or sad, especially over him.

“Anything doll. Anything,” he instantly assured her and her eyes met his again. Still looking nervous, she chewed her lip and Bucky wanted to lean in and kiss her to make her stop.

“Hold me?” she asked quietly, making Bucky smile. It had been all he had wanted to do from the moment she walked through the door. He had been so incredibly stupid, pushing her away when he needed her the most.

“C'mere darling,” Bucky laid back on the bed gently pulling her into his arms. He relaxed, closing his eyes as he felt her fingers tender patterns in his chest. She was right. She was his silver lining and just one moment like this with her was worth all the pain he had gone through to get to this day in time.

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Sebastian Stan/ Bucky Barnes Tag Team

@emilyevanston @sea040561 @petra-arkanian-1497 @serienjunkiegirl @jackasaurus-strax @feelmyroarrrr @holyfuckloueh @dolphinpink310 @evansrogerskitten @smoothdogsgirl @rebelslicious @roxyspearing @mizzzpink @all-my-favourite-things91 @blacktithe7 @valecitainwonderland @badassbaker @petra-arkanian-1497 @grace-for-sale @thinkwritexpress-official @sebbytrash

#marvelfluffbingo #star's marvel mayhem challenge #bucky x reader #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes imagine #bucky imagine #marvel imagine #marvel fanfiction #marvel reader insert

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sunriserose1023 · 6 years

Text

Shattered and Scarred (1)

Here is my entry for @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan‘s Star’s Marvel Mayhem challenge!

PROMPT: You were the only one I saw when I closed my eyes. CHARACTERS: (in order of appearance) T’Challa, Steve Rogers, Shuri, female reader, Bucky Barnes WORD COUNT: 7481 WARNINGS: Language, non-explicit smut, talk of and flashback to a previous suicide attempt, SPOILERS if you haven’t seen Black Panther or the Infinity War trailers yet, and ... oh yeah, ANGST.

TAGS: @captain-rogers-beard, @bionic-buckyb, @evansrogerskitten, @kittenofdoomage, @fandommaniacx, @feelmyroarrrr, @nuvoleincielo, @jessica-bones-winchester, @terensebastianstan

“Can I ask you a question?”

T’Challa turned from where he was staring out the window and glanced over his shoulder. A man came to stand beside him, staring out that same window. T’Challa kept his eyes on the man a minute longer, studying him in the silence.

He looked so different than the last time they had seen each other. A dark beard shadowed his cheeks and chin, and there seemed to be an edge to his usually gentle blue eyes. He did not walk as tall as he once had, as though the mantle he once proudly wore now weighed on his wide shoulders.

He seemed older now, though that was impossible.

T’Challa nodded as he turned back to look out the window, ignoring the way the man spoke without using the royal formalities. He was barely able to suppress a smile at the breath Okoye huffed from her place in the shadows.

“Of course, Captain.”

Steve Rogers closed his eyes, hand coming up and waving off the title. T’Challa gave another nod and Steve sighed, running a hand down his tired face.

“Is it true?”

T’Challa raised an eyebrow as he glanced over, feigning ignorance. When Steve rolled his eyes, T’Challa gave a quiet laugh, clearing his throat before he spoke.

“Do you really need me to answer that?”

Steve sighed again.

“No. Is it working?”

T’Challa lifted his shoulders, then let them fall.

“Each day brings new struggles, along with new possibilities.”

Steve nodded, hands moving to grip the railing in front of them.

“I have another question.” “Feel free.”

Steve licked his lips, eyes locking on a bird that flew by the window, staring in the direction it had flown as he spoke.

“Is it true that … he’s not the first … Winter Soldier you’ve healed?”

T’Challa fought not to let his hackles rise. He lowered his left hand, not seeing, but feeling Okoye relax. He cleared his throat, linking his hands in front of him.

“I do not know what you are talking about.”

A muscle in Steve’s jaw twitched a moment before he spoke.

“Evidence has just … appeared to suggest that Bucky might not have been solely responsible for all the kills attributed to the Winter Soldier.” “Oh?”

Steve nodded, glancing towards the king, who continued to stare out the window.

“It seems there were two Winter Soldiers. Bucky and an unidentified woman. She was his partner, until she went rogue. When she did, HYDRA and S.H.I.E.L.D. teamed up and sent agents out to capture her.” “Or kill her.” “Whichever came easiest. But she dropped off the grid.”

T’Challa slowly nodded, and after a moment of silence, Steve spoke again.

“Rumors are swirling that she’s been hiding in Wakanda this whole time.”

T’Challa slowly nodded again. After a few heartbeats, he licked his lips.

“Hypothetically, let us say someone—anyone, have you—comes to my country seeking asylum. If the reasoning is worthy enough … perhaps we grant the asylum. Perhaps we do everything in our power to protect this person, just as we would for a natural citizen of Wakanda.” “So it is true. Your Highness, the things she’s done—” “Rumored to have done.”

Steve shook his head, and T’Challa turned to face him, though Steve hung his head and kept it down.

“Have you ever stopped to think, Mr. Rogers, that everything may not be exactly as you have heard?”

Steve lifted his head, turning and looking T’Challa in the eyes for the first time.

“What do you mean?”

You stood in the sun, closing your eyes as you felt the warmth on your skin. There was a coldness in your bones that never seemed to completely disappear, but the sunshine helped. You inhaled deeply, exhaling the freshest air you could ever remember breathing.

A chorus of squeals sounded near you, and you opened your eyes and turned around, a smile coming over your face and a laugh escaping your lips as the children congregated around you. They all shouted your name and started to speak at the same time, sentences overlapping until you held up your hands and laughed again.

“Easy, easy! I only have two ears, silly little ones.”

A small girl missing both front teeth steeped to you, grabbing hold of your skirts.

“Have you seen the white wolf?” “White wolf?”

You smiled, bending down to cup her face in your hands.

“There are no wolves here. Only elephants!”

Some of the children began making elephant noises, and you laughed. A little boy tugged at your skirt, and you turned to face him.

“There is a white wolf and he is big and scary!”

A chorus of opposition rose.

“He’s not scary!” “He only has one arm.” “That doesn’t make him scary!”

You narrowed your eyes, keeping the smile on your face.

“A wolf with only one arm?” “Well, he … he’s not a real wolf.”

You shook your head with a laugh, then held out your hands.

“Take me to this mysterious, scary white wolf.”

The kids latched onto you, making you laugh even more as they began to tug on your arms and run.

As you came to the edge of a river, the children let go of your hands, running to a slender young woman, one who threw her head back and laughed when she listened to the small crowd. She bent and whispered something to them, standing tall and shaking her head as they ran from her. She made her way to you, and you took the hand she extended, bowing slightly.

“Princess.” “How are you today, Y/N?”

You smiled, glancing out over the river, eyes widening when you saw a fish leap from the water, only to splash back down and disappear. You met her dark eyes and smiled again.

“I’m good. How are you?” “I needed a break from my lab.”

You nodded, releasing her hand as the two of you made your way to the bank of the river. You slipped your feet from your sandals and walked forward, smiling as the surprisingly cool water splashed over your toes. You walked until the water was up to your ankles, keeping your skirts gathered in one hand to keep them dry. Shuri walked up beside you, her skirt short enough that she didn’t need to lift it, kicking lightly just to see the water splash. You gave a soft laugh, then turned to face her.

“Tell me about this white wolf the little ones were so excited about.”

Shuri rolled her eyes.

“He’s not a wolf.” “Yes, that I figured out. Although I will say, it took a minute.”

Shuri laughed, then shrugged her skinny shoulders.

“He’s a friend of a friend of my brother’s who needed some help.”

You nodded.

“Is he okay?” “He reminds me a lot of you, to be honest.”

You turned to watch the sun’s sparkles on the water and you spoke softly.

“God help him, then.” “Oh, come now. You are a wonderful person.” “Now, maybe.” “The past is in the past, Y/N. Remember?”

You nodded, staring down at the water around your feet. It was still hard for you to reconcile that the past was truly in the past. You had done some horrible things, but thanks to Shuri’s help, unwavering faith in you, and her dogged determination, you had found healing.

You closed your eyes again, lifting your face towards the sun, which was beginning its descent. You let the warmth caress your face, suppressing the shiver you wanted to give. Shuri stepped to you, laying a hand on your shoulder, and you opened your eyes.

“Do you want to meet him? I think it may do him some good to see you.” “To show him your sole success story?”

Shuri shrugged again, a wide smile coming over her face. You laughed to yourself, giving her a gentle shove. She laughed as she stumbled away, running out of the water and onto the riverbank. You followed, dropping your skirts when you’d cleared the water, slipping your sandals back on. Shuri started for one of the tents, stopping when a shadow came over the doorway, a moment before a man stepped out.

He was tall and muscular. His hair was dark, waving down to his shoulders, and he had half of it pulled back away from his face. The beginnings of a beard shadowed his face and—just as the children had told you—only one of his arms was visible. His left shoulder was encased in fabric that kept it hidden from view. You took a step forward, going still when he looked to you.

Shuri was speaking, saying something to you before she walked closer to him. You couldn’t hear her; you couldn’t hear anything but the pounding of your heart and the rush of blood in your ears.

He was alive.

He was here, right in front of you, living and breathing.

Broken.

But alive.

And he couldn’t take his eyes from you.

A tear slipped down your cheek, unnoticed by Shuri. He, however, furrowed his brows and took a step towards you. You felt the sudden inclination to run, to distance yourself as much as possible, but your feet wouldn’t move. You were frozen where you stood, your blood suddenly feeling like ice in your veins.

You gasped, blinking widely when Shuri suddenly took hold of your arms, the warmth of her hands cutting through the cold, the shake she gave you bringing you back and grounding you.

“Y/N, answer me!”

You blinked again, meeting Shuri’s dark, worried eyes. You shook your head and she spoke again, much softer this time.

“What is the matter?”

You looked over her shoulder, meeting the blue eyes of the man who was studying you, confusion evident on his handsome face. You licked your lips, voice shaking as you spoke.

“Who—who is he?” “Bucky Barnes. A sergeant from the United States Army.”

You slowly nodded.

“Bucky.”

He blinked, taking another step towards you.

“Do I know you?”

You couldn’t stop the shudder that went through you at the sound of his voice. Shuri must have felt it, too, because her eyes widened.

“Y/N?”

You shook your head, trying and failing to move out of Shuri’s grasp.

“I—I need—” “Breathe.”

You whipped your head to him, seeing him hold up his hand as he stepped closer to you.

“Just take a breath.” “You’re alive.”

The words were barely more than a breath, but you couldn’t stop them from spilling from your lips. Bucky shook his head, staring into your eyes.

“Who are you?”

The tears came suddenly, slipping down your cheeks.

“Let me go.” “What is it, Y/N? Why are you crying?” “Please, let me go.” “But Y/N—” “Shuri, please!”

You knew your strength. You knew how easily you could break from Shuri’s hold, most likely breaking both of her arms in the process. You hadn’t wielded your full strength in years, but right then, you weren’t sure you could hold back. Thankfully, Shuri let go of you. You gave a ragged breath, staring at Bucky as he shook his head.

“I … I don’t—” “Good.”

He was clearly taken aback by that, and you sniffled as you shook your head.

“Sorry. I … I’m so sorry.”

You turned your back to them, wrapping your arms around your waist as you began to walk away. Shuri called your name, and you assumed she started to come after you, until you heard him speak softly.

“Let her go.”

You bit your lip at the sob you wanted to give, then picked up your pace, until you bent and took hold of your skirts, gathering them and lifting enough to allow you to run.

You stayed in your quarters for two days, sleeping only when your body couldn’t stay awake another minute. You mainly sat at your window, one hand pressed to the glass, staring at the gorgeous countryside, watching the sun come up, then set, until you were able to stare at the moon and the millions of stars.

Shuri came to the door more than once, but her knocks and pleas went unanswered.

You finally couldn’t fight the hunger anymore, and you ventured from your room to the small kitchen down the hall. You turned on the small light over the sink, opening the high-tech refrigerator and gathering the ingredients to make yourself a sandwich.

You went still as you heard the footsteps behind you, silent as they were. Shuri had fought hard to help you lessen the effects of your previous training, but some things never changed. You took a deep breath, slowly glancing over your shoulder.

Bucky stepped into the kitchen, holding up a hand.

“Sorry, I … there’s usually no one awake this time of night.”

You smiled.

“I know.”

He gave a quiet laugh, moving to run his hand through his hair. You swallowed, then spoke softly.

“Are you hungry?”

Bucky blinked, then nodded. He stepped further into the kitchen as you turned away from him, reaching for the loaf of bread you’d just set away. Your cheeks burned as you tried to focus on your task, but your mind couldn’t move from the fact that he was wearing sweatpants and a white t-shirt, the left sleeve hanging empty.

Bucky kept his distance as you assembled your sandwich, staying silent as he watched you. When you set your sandwich aside and picked up the bread for his, you glanced over your shoulder, both of you speaking at the same time.

“No mayo, right?” “No mayo, please.”

Bucky blinked again and you turned your back to him, cheeks aflame once again. You went through the motions and assembled his sandwich, going still when his voice broke the quiet.

“I know you.”

You didn’t respond—you couldn’t—and he kept talking.

“I don’t know how exactly, but I know you. My mind’s all … scrambled and I’m trying to put it back together, but …”

You set down the knife you’d been using, bracing your hands on the countertop as you closed your eyes.

All the king’s horses and all the king’s men…

You opened your eyes and straightened, moving your hands and running your fingers over the smooth counter. You reached for the knife you’d been using and finished your task.

“Did we work together?”

You fumbled the piece of bread in your hand, letting out a shaky breath. You closed your eyes and just breathed, then turned to face him, a plate in each hand. You handed Bucky his, then walked to the table. He followed you, sitting across from you, neither of you bothered by the darkness as you ate in a strangely comfortable silence, despite the question Bucky raised that you still hadn’t answered. When you were both finished, you stood up, taking his plate to the sink to wash them. Bucky followed you, keeping his distance.

“Did I … did I do something to you?”

You glanced over your shoulder, meeting his eyes, seeing the burden he was carrying. You swallowed hard, shaking your head.

“No, you … you never hurt me.”

He slowly nodded.

“Good. That … that’s good. I did some—some terrible things.”

You closed your eyes, reaching into the sink and pulling the stopper from the drain. You washed your hands and dried them, tossing the dish towel behind you as you walked to stand in front of him. Bucky wouldn’t meet your eyes.

“You didn’t do them.”

He lifted his head, eyes full of tears that he wouldn’t let fall. You shrugged your shoulders.

“You didn’t.” “Yes, I did.” “No.”

He shook his head and hung it, and you clasped your hands together to keep yourself from reaching out and touching him. He gave a ragged sigh, lifting his head, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose.

“That’s what Shuri keeps trying to tell me. It wasn’t my fault because I wasn’t … myself.” “You were being controlled.”

He met your gaze, a strange combination of hope and fear in his eyes. You shook your head again, speaking gently.

“You were used as a weapon, Bucky. You were controlled by … them, and whatever they made you do, even if it was your hands doing it, it wasn’t your fault.”

His body was trembling, eyes wide as he took a step back from you.

“You … how do you know that?”

You swallowed, closing your eyes as you spoke.

“Because they did the same thing to me.”

You could still feel the cold steel of the chair you were forced into. The pinch of the locks around your ankles and wrists. The bitter taste of the block they placed into your mouth. The panic that arose when they locked the collar around your neck, forcing your head back. You’d close your eyes, bracing yourself for that first fiery jolt, and one thing would come to your mind.

Blue eyes.

“Hey, you still with me?”

You blinked, shaking your head once, glancing over at the man crouching down next to you, whose worried eyes were locked onto you. You slowly nodded, standing up from where you’d been sitting on the floor and dusting yourself off. You gave a ragged sigh, rubbing your hands up and down your arms.

“Cold?”

You gave a mirthless laugh.

“I’m always cold.”

You shook your head.

“No matter what I do, it’s like … I don’t know.” “Like the cold is in your bones?”

You glanced up, seeing Bucky staring at the left side of his body, where his arm should be. He spoke again, then lifted his eyes to yours.

“Like the cold is just a part of you?”

You nodded, and the side of his mouth quirked up into what could almost be a smile.

“Yeah, I know what you mean.”

You stepped forward, and Bucky slowly looked you up and down. You swallowed again, smiling when his eyes met yours. He shook his head, murmuring the words.

“I know you.”

You nodded.

“We should get some rest.”

You started to walk away and he reached out, hand gently closing around your upper arm. You closed your eyes, fighting with yourself and somehow managing to stay upright. You turned to face him and he licked his lips.

“I want to talk to you some more.”

You smiled.

“We will. I promise.”

He let go of you and you nodded to him.

“Get some rest. With Shuri working with you, you’re going to need it.”

He smiled, and you turned from him, the smile draining from your face as you hurried to your room.

“There you are!”

You smiled, sitting up and wrapping your arms around your knees as Shuri walked over and sat beside you. You closed your eyes, feeling the sun on your bare arms, a gentle breeze making the grass dance around and tickle your feet. Shuri reached a hand over, laying it on your elbow, then clicking her tongue.

“You will burn sitting in the sun like this.” “I put sunscreen on.” “I bet. Don’t come crying to me when you look like a strawberry tonight!”

You laughed, shaking your head as you settled back, unwrapping your arms and setting them in the grass, leaning back on your elbows. You smiled as you watched a group of children kicking around a soccer ball in the distance. After a moment of silence, Shuri spoke.

“How do you know Sergeant Barnes?”

You swallowed.

“Shuri, I … I don’t know if I can tell you.” “Why not? Is it something bad?”

You nodded, and when she spoke again, her voice was soft, the words carefully chosen.

“Were you … one of the ones who … who programmed him?” “What? No!”

You shook your head, lifting one hand to your hair, then closing your eyes. You took a deep breath, exhaling slowly, opening your eyes.

“What do you know about him?”

Shuri sighed.

“More than I should, probably. My brother would be furious if he knew that I knew everything.” “Everything?”

You looked to her and raised an eyebrow. She shrugged her shoulders, then looked down at her hands.

“I know everything about you, too.”

You nodded, looking out over the field again, murmuring to yourself.

“Not everything.”

Shuri turned her head to look at you, and you blinked back the tears that were threatening to spill from your eyes. You turned to the young princess beside you and took her hands.

“You have to promise me something.”

She nodded, and you gave her hands a squeeze.

“Don’t go trying to dig up information. Not about me or—or Sergeant Barnes. Please, Shuri. Promise me you won’t.”

She nodded again.

“I promise.” “Mean it, Shuri.”

She tilted her head, eyebrows furrowing.

“I do mean it, Y/N.”

You let go of her hands and stood up, wrapping your arms around your waist and closing your eyes.

The sun is warm. Feel it? Do you feel how warm it is? There’s no snow here. No ice. Nothing cold at all. Wakanda is warm. Wakanda is home.

“Wakanda is home.” “What?”

You glanced over your shoulder, seeing Shuri still sitting where you left her. You shook your head and she pushed herself up, walking to you.

“What are you so afraid of?”

Your eyes widened and Shuri crossed her arms over her chest.

“Whatever it is that you’re not telling? It’s causing you harm.” “If I tell, it may bring harm to someone else.” “Who? Me?”

You shrugged your shoulders.

“Or Sergeant Barnes?”

You closed your eyes, and when you opened them again, Shuri was nodding.

“You two were close?”

You closed your eyes again, turning away from her.

“Y/N?”

You blinked open your eyes, turning back to face her. A tear slid down your cheek as you smiled a sad smile.

“I loved him.”

Rainy days were few and far between in Wakanda. When one came, usually the children could be seen—and heard—running through the downpour, yelling joyously at the tops of their lungs, rushing to their mothers at the first crack of thunder. Just one flash of lightning would send everyone running for cover, and you’d have to fight the urge to lay down in the midst of it and let the rain wash you clean.

This time, you were tired of fighting.

You stood outside, face upturned, rain falling so hard and so fast you could barely see. You were shivering, soaked to the bone, but you wouldn’t move. Thunder rolled all around you, yet you stayed where you were.

You heard the footsteps even through the roar of the rain, and you turned to face him when he was inches from you.

“Tell me the truth.”

He had to shout for you to hear him over the downpour. You shook your head, spitting out rainwater before you answered him.

“I can’t.” “Why?”

He shook his head.

“What the hell do you mean?” “I don’t want to hurt you.” “You couldn’t do more damage than what’s already been done.”

You bit your lip, shaking your head.

“That’s the problem.” “What?”

You shook your head again.

“It’s my fault.” “What is?” “I’m sorry.”

You turned from him and he shook his head, moving to stand in front of you.

“I don’t understand.” “I’m sorry.”

You turned away from him again, sloshing through the puddles, stopping when he jogged around, standing in front of you again.

“What are you so scared of?”

You looked away and he lifted his head, spitting out a mouthful of rain before he looked back to you.

“What did I do to you?” “You didn’t do anything to me.” “Then talk to me.”

You shook your head, and he let out a hard laugh.

“What the hell is your problem?” “You are!”

He blinked as you stepped forward, laying both hands against his wide chest and giving a shove. He staggered backwards, eyes wide, and neither of you noticed the flash of lightning, or the sudden loud crack of thunder that followed it.

You shook your head.

“You know that what they did to you was horrible, but it’s what you don’t remember that’s worse.” “Oh, really? Like what?” “Me, Bucky!”

Another flash of lightning, another roll of thunder went unnoticed. You started to shove him again, but he reached out and grabbed your arm, holding it tightly, but not enough to hurt. You laid your other hand on his chest, feeling the pounding of his heart under your palm. You closed your eyes, soaking in the steady thumps, then looked up, meeting his eyes and seeing a spark in the blue.

Was it confusion? Recognition? Rememberance?

You couldn’t decide. You sniffled and shook your head, lifting a shaking hand to tuck a rope of wet hair behind his ear. You spoke so softly you just knew he couldn’t hear you through the roar of the rain.

“They erased me from you.”

He blinked, eyes going wide and filling with tears. He shook his head and let go of you, and you stepped back from him, tears rolling down your cheeks, mixing with the rain. You shook your head, turning and walking away from him, leaving him standing in the downpour, much the same as you had decades earlier.

You didn’t notice until it was too late the way the sky seemed to open up, the almost slow-motion slither of lightning as it danced through the air, curling down to land right where you were stepping. You opened your mouth to yell, but no sound left your throat.

You felt yourself slam into the ground, held tightly against a wide chest and a wildly beating heart, sheltered from the rain for the first time since it began to fall. You lifted your head and met his eyes, the striking blue that was boring into you. He slowly blinked, lowering his head until his lips were inches from yours.

“Y/N.” “Bucky.”

You closed your eyes, breathing him in, immediately thrown back to a time of which you never let yourself think. Bucky leaned in even closer, then let you go, rolling off of you and pushing himself up with his one arm. He pushed that hand through his hair, shaking it, sending raindrops scattering. You stood up, brushing yourself off as best you could, watching him as he lifted his face to the rain, just letting it wash over him for a moment. The words left your lips before you even realized.

“I thought I’d never see you again.”

He looked at you, shaking his head.

“You … you were my … my … they took you from me.”

He lifted his face again, and you jumped when he gave a mighty yell. He crouched down, covering his face with his hand, and when another crack of thunder sounded, you knelt beside him.

“Let’s go inside.”

He moved his hand, looking up and staring at you. He didn’t make any sort of movement, but you jumped at the sudden roll of thunder. You reached over and touched his face, the breath catching in your throat when he closed his eyes and leaned into your touch.

“Come on. Let’s get out of the storm.”

Bucky opened his eyes, then nodded. You helped him to his feet, keeping hold of his hand as the two of you walked inside.

Bucky stood in the doorway of your quarters, not moving as you rushed to gather a few towels, ringing your hair out over the sink.

“You can take the first shower, warm up a bit. I’m okay for now.”

Bucky let out a quiet laugh and you looked over to him. He shook his head, a soft smile on his face.

“You’re shivering and your lips are blue.”

You lifted a hand to your lips and he shook his head.

“You can go. I’m fine.” “You’re freezing. I don’t want you to catch a cold.”

Bucky snorted.

“Super soldier, remember? No chance of me catching a cold.”

You slowly nodded, setting the towels you were carrying down on the small table in your living area, closing your eyes. You laid your hands on either side of the towels, lifting your head when Bucky cleared his throat. He glanced away, not looking at you as he spoke.

“Some of the … details are pretty fuzzy, but we … we were partners, weren’t we?”

You swallowed around the sudden lump in your throat and nodded. He glanced to see you nod, and he looked away again.

“I assume we’ve been through worse than this?”

You nodded, and he cleared his throat.

“We could go together. I’m sure it—it wouldn’t be the first time?”

You waited until he looked at you, and you shook your head. He gave a nod, and you nodded in return, turning and waiting until you heard his footsteps, following you to the bathroom.

You gave a shaky breath as you turned the shower on, adjusting the water temperature until it was to your liking. You turned back to see Bucky fiddling with the sash he wore around his shoulder, the material soaked with rainwater and hard to maneuver. You stepped over to him and he dropped his hand, watching as you untied the knot, unraveling the material and letting it fall to the ground.

Bucky licked his lips, seeming almost nervous—so removed from the Winter Soldier you used to know, who knew no modesty—as he reached his hand over and removed the cloak-like garment he wore. You pressed your lips together, eyes widening when his bare chest came into view, sculpted muscles on display. You eyes were drawn to his left shoulder, to the angry, puckered, scarred red skin where a metal arm once existed.

You lifted your eyes to his and saw that he was already looking at you. You blinked, then spoke softly.

“What happened to your arm?”

He looked to his left side, and you noticed how his right hand clenched into a fist. He let out a breath, speaking almost as softly as you had.

“I, uh… I got into a fight.”

You couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled up and escaped your throat. Bucky gave you a soft smile and you shook your head.

“Sounds like old times.”

The smiles slid from both of your faces as the words registered with the two of you. You turned away, cheeks warming as you heard the rest of his clothes fall to the floor. He stepped into the shower, an appreciative groan escaping his throat, and you lifted your eyes to find your reflection staring back at you. You took off your own clothes, staring into the mirror, eyes scanning over your body until you were staring into your own eyes.

“Nice.”

You glanced over your shoulder, giving him a look.

“Excuse me?” “I’m just saying, you … you look nice.”

You rolled your eyes, turning to the sink and cupping some water in one hand, washing the blood from where it was staining your stomach and between your breasts. Your shirt had been soaked through, absolutely ruined, and you’d stripped out of it as soon as you’d gotten to the room. You usually didn’t bother with a bra, and today was no exception. There was no room for modesty in the mind of a soldier.

You flicked your eyes back to the mirror, watching Bucky flex his metal hand before clenching it into a fist. You licked your lips, focusing on cleaning the blood from your body as you spoke.

“If I had known this is what it would take to get you to notice me, I’d have gone topless in front of you a long time ago.”

Bucky barked out a laugh.

“I notice you, sunshine. Trust me on that.” “Really?”

Bucky nodded, and you let out a laugh.

“You mean to tell me the Winter Soldier is more than just a HYDRA puppet?”

Bucky snorted again.

“Takes one to know one, don’t it?”

You laughed, grabbing a washcloth and drying your hands on it. Bucky stepped into the doorway of the motel bathroom, resting one massive shoulder against the doorframe. You lifted your eyes to the mirror, seeing him staring at you.

The two of you made a good team. You’d been around longer than he had, so you were able to show him the ropes. His military background even offered him a few things to teach you, and over the last two years, the two of you had risen quite high in HYDRA’s ranks.

You turned to face him, smiling when his eyes slowly lifted from your breasts to your face. You tossed the washcloth onto the counter behind you, watching a smile spread over Bucky’s lips as you spoke.

“You ever go off-script, Sergeant?” “What script? The mission’s complete. We’re good until the convoy arrives to pick us up at 0500.”

You smiled and lifted yourself onto the counter, and Bucky smiled as he moved forward, stopping in front of you, reaching out and resting his hands on your hips. You sucked in a breath at the coolness of his metal fingers against your skin, giving a breathy laugh when those fingers skated over the waistband of your pants, dipping under and tickling your skin. You looped your arms around his neck, sucking in another breath as he took a step closer.

You lifted your head, eyes locking with his. God, his eyes were so blue. As hard as the rest of him was, his eyes somehow held a softness, a playfulness that only came through every now and then. A deeply buried part of you felt lucky to get to witness it. You pushed your hands through his dark hair, settling a piece of hair behind his ear.

You went to say something, but Bucky ducked his head, pressing his lips to yours. You moved your hands to cup his face, the stubble on his cheeks biting into your palms. He leaned back to pull his shirt over his head, the metal plates of his arm whirring and clicking with each movement he made. You moved your hands to slide down his muscled chest and abdomen, and he gave a quiet moan as he cupped your cheek in his hand, the metal cool against your skin as he brought your lips back to his, kissing you deeply.

You dropped your head, closing your eyes, taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly. You lifted your head, looking at your reflection again, noticing the haunted look in your eyes. You turned away and went to the shower, pulling back the curtain just enough to step inside.

Bucky was standing under the spray, his back to you and his one hand plastered to the wall, head lowered as the water cascaded over him. You let out a shaky breath at the sight of his back, wide and hard with muscles, spattered with scars. You swallowed and moved forward, one shaky hand reaching out to touch his shoulder.

You gasped when he turned around, pulling you to him and wrapping his one arm around you, burying his face as best he could in your wet hair. You squeezed your eyes shut to try and stem the tears, wrapping your arms around him and holding him tightly. You could feel the pounding of his heart where his chest was pressed to yours, and you moved a hand to the back of his head, holding him where he was, and you were unable to stop your tears when you felt him give a shaking exhale before his tears began to drip onto your shoulder.

Bucky sat on the little couch in your room, a towel around his waist while you had his clothes in your washing machine. You had your hair twisted up in a towel, another wrapped around your body and secured in a knot at your chest.

Given the extensive history between the two of you, being in only a towel didn’t bother either of you. Even if neither of you could truly remember all the details.

You moved into the living area from the tiny kitchenette, carrying a glass of water in each hand. Bucky looked up at you when you stopped in front of him, pressing his lips together and nodding his thanks as he took the glass from your hand. You sat on the small table in front of him, and he took a drink, then set his half-empty glass beside you. He took in a deep breath, let it out, then brought his eyes to yours.

“Tell me.” “Why don’t you tell me?”

He let out a hard laugh.

“My mind is so fucked up, I can’t even …”

He shook his head, his only hand moving to scrub down his face. You felt an ache in your heart, and you stood up, slowly pacing the room as you spoke.

“Your name is James Buchanan Barnes. You were a sergeant in the United States’ Army. A sniper. You were a member of an elite squad led by Steve Rogers, your childhood best friend and none other than Captain America.”

Bucky smiled at that, and you went on.

“You were thought to be the only casualty Rogers’ platoon experienced. Turns out, you were captured and …”

You swallowed, and after a moment of silence, Bucky spoke.

“That’s the stuff I do remember.”

You nodded, and once you’d gathered your wits again, you cleared your throat.

“I was an orphan. I honestly don’t know anything about my parents. Were they killed? Were they too young? Did they just not want me?”

You shrugged your shoulders.

“I bounced around the system throughout my childhood, and when I was sixteen, I was taken from the orphanage because … well. No one would miss me.”

You crossed your arms over your chest and continued to pace.

“I was …”

You cleared your throat again.

“HYDRA was fairly certain they’d perfected their version of the serum used on Rogers. They weren’t entirely sure, though. They needed a guinea pig.”

You swallowed and lifted your head, staring out the window, at the rain that was still falling.

“I was the first success they had. No visible side effects. I didn’t drop dead. I could fight and take a veritable beating and barely break a sweat. They sent me on a few missions, a kind of a test run. Some I remember, most I don’t. The thing I do remember is … how lethal I was.”

You felt a shiver roll down your spine, and you continued.

“Once they saw that I was … okay, they gave you the serum. Sent you out on missions, saw how lethal you were, too.”

You turned to face him then.

“They decided we could be twice as deadly together, instead of just extraordinary alone.”

Bucky nodded slowly, lifting his eyes to yours.

“And we were?”

You snorted.

“Oh, we were.”

You turned back to the window, jumping when a crack of thunder sounded, closing your eyes tightly at the sudden assault of memories. You forced out a breath and felt a rough hand on your shoulder. You reached up and grabbed hold, and Bucky murmured under his breath, nonsense sounds that you didn’t even pay attention to. Just the sound of his voice was what you needed to help ground you again.

After a moment, you loosened your hold on his hand, then turned to face him. Bucky reached out and linked your fingers together, shaking his head.

“What happened to me? Why can’t I remember that? Why can’t I remember you?”

You gave a shaky sigh.

“They erased me from you.” “How the hell did they do that?”

You shook your head.

“I don’t know exactly. It has to do with your … programming, I guess.” “The red book.”

Your eyes widened, and you closed them before you nodded.

“I had forgotten about that.”

You swallowed, looking back to Bucky. He was studying your face, no doubt trying to find something in his memory to corroborate your story. He shook his head.

“How could they just erase you from me?” “They had to.” “Why?” “Because I escaped.”

Bucky’s eyes widened.

“What?”

You took your hand from his, wrapping your arms around your stomach and holding yourself together. You gave a shaky exhale, moving to the window, touching the glass and jumping when lightning flashed.

“I don’t know what happened, exactly. I thought maybe the serum was … wearing off. I could remember … things. From one mission to the next.”

You looked back at him.

“When we finished a mission, they’d … reset us, get us ready for the next one. Sometimes they’d put us under. And I got to … I could remember things. Even coming out of the cryo, I could remember. When we’d ‘meet’ again and become partners … I could remember you from our previous missions.”

You shook your head.

“It was excruciatingly painful.” “That’s something else I remember.”

You looked over your shoulder to see Bucky squeeze his eyes shut. When he opened them again, his eyes widened when he saw you. You stared at him for a moment, then spoke again.

“Even through the pain, I kept remembering. I tried to hide it, got pretty good at faking it. But I just knew someone would realize, and it would just be a matter of time before our missions became to kill each other. And I … god, Bucky. I couldn’t. I couldn’t even imagine—”

You shook your head, looking out the window so he wouldn’t see your tears. You heard him take a step, then retreat. His raspy voice cut through the silence like a knife.

“So you left. And with you gone, they must have amped up their shit with me.”

You felt your face fall and you kept your back to him.

“They cranked it up, so much so that they erased every single memory I had of you. Everything but—”

You opened your eyes at the abrupt end of his sentence, turning back to him.

“But what?”

You watched the muscles in his jaw work as he clenched his teeth, then swallowed. He turned his head, icy blue eyes meeting yours.

“You were the only one I saw when I closed my eyes.”

You blinked, sucking in a sharp breath. Bucky shook his head, pushing his hand through his damp hair.

“Every time they strapped me to that goddamn chair, every time they tortured me, wiped my fucking mind clean, you were the last thing I saw. I didn’t realize it at the time, didn’t know who she was, but it … it was you.”

A tear slid down your cheek as he turned from you, walking to the couch and picking up his water, draining it.

You flinched when the glass whizzed by your head, smashing against the wall and shattering into millions of glittering shards. He turned to face you, tears in his eyes, pain infused through every word he spoke.

“How could you leave me?”

You gasped, then shook your head.

“I—I didn’t—” “What? You didn’t want to?” “No, I didn’t. But I didn’t have a choice.” “Yes, you did.”

He sniffed as he walked away from you, shaking his head and sending droplets of water flying from the ends of his hair.

“You had to know what they’d do to me.” “I didn’t.” “Well, you could have imagined. And you left anyway.” “Bucky, it’s not that simple.”

He let out a laugh.

“But you see Y/N, it is! You left, I was tortured, and you’ve been living it up here ever since.”

You stopped, eyes wide.

“Is that what you think?” “No, that’s what I see. That’s obvious.”

You swallowed, shaking your head.

“You don’t know anything about me.” “You’re goddamn right about that.”

You looked away from him, pressing your lips together. He gave a quiet laugh, shaking his head and walking for the door. You spoke just as his hand closed around the doorknob.

“Wait.”

Bucky glanced over his shoulder, the one half missing. You swallowed back the tears you wanted to shed and motioned behind you.

“Your clothes.”

Bucky glanced down, taking in the towel around his waist. He looked back to you and you watched his eyes harden, saw his lips curl in a sneer as he spit out the words.

“I’ll take my chances.”

He yanked the door open and walked out, and you closed your eyes before you buried your face in your hands and sobbed.

PART TWO

#star's marvel mayhem challenge #rachel writes marvel #marvel fanfiction #reader insert #marvel reader insert #Bucky Barnes #bucky x reader #shuri #tchalla #Steve Rogers #female reader #Winter Soldier #canon compliant

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because-imma-lady-assface · 6 years

Text

Not Leaving

A/N: This is for @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan Marvel Mayhem Challenge. My prompt is bolded. I need to give huge shout outs to my angels @impala-dreamerand @actuallyasgardian for reading this over for me.

Steve x Reader

Warnings: Angst. Some swears. TAKES PLACE POST INFINITY WAR SO SPOILERS.

Words: 790

“Hey. You hungry? I brought some food-I didn’t know what you’d want so I just kinda grabbed everything.” You were rambling, only paying attention to making sure the tray full of food didn’t end up all over the floor. “Steve?”

He didn’t look up as you entered the room, just continued throwing things into a duffle bag. You set the tray down and walked toward him. It wasn’t until then that you realized the only stuff going in the bag was yours.

“Steve! Stop. Seriously, what the hell are you doing?” You tried touching his arm, but he only pulled away.

“You're going back to New York.”

“I'm sorry...I'm what now?” Confusion filled your body, followed quickly by something between annoyance and hurt.

“Don't get cute with me, Y/N. You can’t stay here.” Steve’s voice was infuriatingly even. He could’ve easily been telling you the sky was indeed blue. “You're going back to New York where it’s safe.”

“Umm...I'm not sure where you've been but New York is pretty generally the first place attacked whenever aliens decide to show up. How is it safer than here?” Sarcasm dripped from your words, nothing he wasn’t used to.

“I'm not arguing with you. Not about this. It’s- you're too important.” Finally some emotion filled his voice.

“Baby, slow down you're a million steps ahead of me. I’m not looking for a fight here, just kinda want to know what's going on.”

“I can’t have you here,” he spit out, zipping the duffle bag and starting for the door. “There’s too much to do and I can’t be worrying about you too.”

You stood directly in front of him, blocking his path and forcing him to look at you. “That’s not the way to deal with this and you know it. We shouldn’t be spli-”

“Y/N. It’s not like this is forever. I got everything from here, I’ll help you get on the jet-”

“You think you can just throw my shit in a bag and shoo me off like a child, but it’s all good because you’re being a gentleman carrying my bag?”

“Damn it!” he yelled, letting your bag drop to the floor. “Are you so stupid you don’t know what I’m going to do to you?”

“Fuck. You.” You seethed. You desperately tried to keep your voice down, fighting for any little part of this situation you could control.

“What?” His face fell, visibly reacting to the venom in your words.

“Fuck you Steve. You’re so goddamned wrapped up in blaming yourself you seem to think that you’re the only one this is affecting. Well, newsflash Cap, you aren’t the only person who lost someone.”

“Doll-I”

“Nope. Huh uh.” You shook your head. “Absolutely fucking not. Don’t you ‘Doll’ me. Get over yourself. There’s nothing more you could’ve done. Thor is a god, and he couldn’t stop it. Every single bad thing that has ever happened isn’t your fault.”

“You don’t get it. I’m supposed to protect people.”

“From something that was completely random?”

“If it were random why do my best friends keep dying? Or disappearing? Or whatever the hell happened?”

“Every single one of your friends made their own choices.” You were fighting tears as you bent to pick up your bag. “I’m not going back to New York.”

Neither of you said another word as you walked out the door.

“The Captain loves you. He spoke of you often when he would visit Bucky,” Shuri chimed in as she examined part of the alien craft, hoping to find a way to communicate with Tony...wherever he was.

After your fight, you’d made your way to the lab hoping Shuri could put you to work and keep your mind off everything else. Nat was there doing the same.

“I know. And I know that’s why he’s being a colossal asshole right now. Just because I understand it doesn’t mean it’s a valid reason.”

“So you’re not going back to New York then?” Nat asked. You couldn’t see her, but you could hear the smirk in her voice.

“The fuck do you think?” It was out of your mouth before you could control it, earning a side eye from Natasha and a laugh from Shuri.

“I think a simple ‘no’ would’ve worked.”

“Sorry. Of course I’m staying. There’s too much to do. I think we need all hands on deck here. Besides, he’s not the boss of me.”

“You can crash with me.”

“I already put my stuff in your room.” You smiled.

“Alright,” Shuri piped up. “Are you two finished? I could actually use some help from the people who said they came to help.”

“Fair enough. What do you need?” you asked.

“Captain Rogers.”

TAGS:

All of the Things: @amanda-teaches @carryonmywaywardcaptain @casownsmyass @codexofwitches @emilypkuzu @emoryhemsworth @feelmyroarrrr @hexparker @ilsawasanacrobat @lynnebla @muliermalefici @percussiongirl2017 @skymoonandstardust @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan @the-winchesterboys @trunk-full-of-ideas

Steve Things: @castellandiangelo

#star's marvel mayhem challenge #steve rogers #steve x reader #marvel #captain america x reader #post iw #marvel fic #look ma i did a thing

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buckybarnesappreciationsociety · 6 years

Text

“I Only Have Eyes For You” Part 1

Summary: Y/N decoded sensitive algorithms for the Avengers. Little did she know her degenerate boyfriend, Raymond was an operative for Hydra, interested in resurrecting the Winter Soldier. In the midst of chaos, an unlikely bond forms.

Pairings: Bucky Barnes x Reader OFC: Raymond Pruitt

Eventual characters: Nat, Wanda, Sam, Steve, Tony, Thor, Vision

Word Count: 888

Warnings: Humiliating remarks (NO BODY SHAMING)

A/N: This is my submission to @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan “Star’s Marvel Mayhem” writing challenge. My prompt: “You are my first choice. You’re my only choice.” Originally, I wanted to write one part, but my imagination took over. So, there’ll probably be two or three chapters. Rest assured, the prompt will be included next chapter! Thank you for reading, feedback is appreciated, and enjoy!

The proverb, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” DID NOT apply to James Buchanan Barnes. After years of torture, he no longer knew the meaning of beauty! When looking in the mirror, the monster Hydra made him stared back. Long gone was the suave and debonair lady’s man. He’d been replaced by darkness! Wherever the Winter Soldier trod, pure pandemonium ensued.

Y/N Y/L/N, newest addition to the Avengers’, radiated hues of purple, blue, yellow, and pink rays of light. Bucky only watched her from afar, thinking his past would affect her beautiful aura. When she smiled, angel’s sang; when she smiled, the sun envied her!

Although Y/N wasn’t a field operative, her years of decoding algorithms bolstered the Avengers’ efforts eradicating Hydra sleeper cells. Thanks to her expertise, 3 hidden bases were located and taken down.

There was only one problem; her wretched “boyfriend,” Raymond Pruitt. He was sleaze personified. Nat, Wanda, Steve, and Sam detested him. Every visit, Y/N tensed up and the glow in her eyes disappeared.

Together for 1 ½ years, Raymond always found a way to make Y/N feel as if he was god’s gift to women. On numerous occasions, he was heard making disparaging comments. “You know what Y/N? I could’ve had any woman out there but here I am with you. Show some gratitude!”

Bucky didn’t miss Raymond’s comments. To say it pissed him off was an understatement. Y/N’s weak smile crushed the super soldier’s soul. His light dimmed and that wasn’t acceptable.

On this particular day after a morning briefing, Y/N sat in her office working on a USB drive recovered from a recon mission Steve and Nat had come back from. Suddenly, her office door flew open, causing her to jump. In walked Raymond, smirking.

“Raymond, why are you here?” “Why weren’t you home last night?”

Pushing from her chair, Y/N walked around her desk. “I’m working on a project that requires my immediate attention, so I was here. Why do you care? I thought you were out with one of your many women.”

“You’re really sassy of late. Growing a spine are ya?” Leaning against the desk, “Raymond, I’ve always had one. After your last ‘visit,’ it was time to do some pruning in my life and I started with YOU!!!”

Mouth agape, Raymond guffawed, “WHAT??? YOU’RE LEAVING ME??? HUH, THAT’S RICH!! YOU’LL MISS ME! I’M THE BEST THING THAT’S EVER HAPPENED TO YOU!!!!

Unshed tears rimmed her eyes. “Me miss you? I doubt that and for the record, the apartment is in MY name. I do have the authority to evict you without notice!!!! So, I’ll be sure to call the landlord informing him you’ll be responsible for the rent!!! Get out NOW!!!”

Passing her office door, Bucky heard shouting. Knocking, Y/N wiped her face. “Come in.”

“H-hey. I heard yelling. Is everything alright?” Bucky eyed Raymond, a scowl plastered on his face.

“What’s it to you? I’m having a private conversation with my girlfriend. Leave now while you can!” Raymond boldly stepped to Bucky. Not one to back down, the former assassin stood his ground. “S’my business when ya disrespect a lady! She told’ya to leave. Get moving!”

Rolling his eyes, Raymond left in a huff. “Let me know when you’re coming by. If there’s a sock on the door, that’s a cue not to come in.” Leaning forward to kiss Y/N’s cheek, Bucky moved her behind his back.

“M’PATIENCE IS ‘BOUT TO WEAR OUT. SCRAM JACKASS!!!” Bucky held the door open for Raymond to exit!!!!

Y/N exhaled a shaky breath. “James, thank you. Why I stayed with him is a mystery. Glad it’s over though. Raymond always made me feel ‘less than.’ No more, huh?”

“Doll, ain’t nobody got any business making ya feel like crap. Gosh, you’re one of the prettiest dames I ever laid eyes on. Not t’mention how intelligent y’are. Any man would be lucky to have y’as his best girl.”

“Well, we know it’s not Raymond. Excuse me. I need a minute.” “Okay. See ya later?” “Sure.”

Bucky felt an ache in his heart. The wound carved in her soul by Raymond was deep! That’s when James Buchanan Barnes realized his heart wasn’t parched wasteland on account of his heart cried because the light no longer danced in her eyes!

Three blocks away, Raymond pulled a burner cell phone from his pocket, dialing the programmed number.

“Phase one is underway.”

“Perfect. What’s next?”

“Lay low. We don’t want either of them to become suspicious!”

“Good job, Agent! Hail Hydra!”

“Hail Hydra!”

@star-spangled-man-with-a-plan @stars8melanin @suz-123 @rebelslicious @pegasusdragontiger @crazy-little-thing-called-buck @httppartytattoos @wxntersoldiers @valkyireomiden @supersoldierslover @stevieang@sgtjamesbuchananbarnes107th @bolontiku @papi-chulo-bucky

#stars marvel mayhem #bucky barnes #reader #stars writing challenge #mcu #bucky x reader #starsmarvelmayhem

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hides-in-the-shadows · 6 years

Text

Yes, Captain Rogers

Author’s Notes: This fic was written for @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan‘s Marvel Mayhem challenge.

Prompt: You’re my first choice. You’re my only choice.

Word Count: 1,201

“Yes, Captain Rogers.”

For three years, those three words had been said in a variety of tones, conveying a thousand different messages. Today, their message was one of sadness.

“Yes, Captain Rogers. I am leaving the Avengers Initiative.”

The reality was simple. You fell for him, hard. It was impossible not to and you fell so hard that you felt it was best to leave this job to keep from torturing yourself and to keep things from getting awkward. There were times you’d almost slipped, like when your hands brushed when looking at documents at his desk and you barely kept your composure as electricity shot up your arm; or when he was so close, you could smell a wisp of his cologne still clinging to his skin eight hours after he put it on and it was all you could do to keep your head on straight. Then there was the dinner a couple of weeks ago when you almost got too comfortable after a glass of wine. It had to stop.

But it had been a hard choice. You and Steve had hit it off instantly when you were chosen as his partner. There had been no question that you were prefect for the job. You worked together seamlessly, and you trusted each other completely. You probably could have been the best of friends, maybe more, if circumstances were different. Within six months, he’d asked you to start calling him by his first name. Most of the time, you couldn’t. It felt inappropriate, simply due to you wanting to keep your relationship a professional one. But there had been some times when the gravity of a situation was heavy, and you had caved into calling him “Steve” because it always caught his full attention. He knew you did this only when it was extremely important. This was one of those times.

He looked down at the letter of resignation that you had laid on his desk, his expression unreadable. He had asked you if it was what he thought it was, which led to your earlier statement, and he hadn’t said anything since.

“Steve,” you said softly. He jolted a bit as if you had yelled. He must have been deep in thought. He looked up at you, bright eyes full of hurt. It was almost enough to break you right then and there.

“Why?” There was no accusation in his voice, no harshness, no anger. Just pain. “Did I do something to upset you, hurt you? Can I fix—“

At this, you jumped out of your chair and took the few steps around to the side of the desk. He rotated in his chair as his gaze followed you. You took the letter from his hands, tossed it aside, took his hands in yours, and crouched down in front of him, looking up into his eyes.

“No! Steve, listen to me. You have never done anything, ever, to hurt me or make me uncomfortable. I promise, this is not about you.”

It was a bit of a lie but for all intents and purposes, it’s true. This was truly about you no longer being able to be professional due to your feelings.

“You are probably the most wonderful man I have ever met and the kindest partner anyone could ever ask for. Anyone would be the luckiest person in the world to have you…for a partner.”

You closed your eyes. You’d almost slipped again. This needed to be wrapped up. You opened your eyes and saw him staring at you with a quizzical expression. You gave him what you hoped was a reassuring smile.

“I will stay on board long enough to help you get everything in order for the one you choose to take my place,” you said. “I’m sure there are a lot of fantastic candidates here; it won’t be too hard.”

“But you’re my first choice. You’re my only choice,” Steve replied, his voice a hoarse whisper.

That hit hard. To keep from losing it right then and there, you rose from your crouched position and walked back to the chair you had been sitting in. Picking up your bag, you turned back to say goodbye. He was still in the same position, looking at the place where you had been kneeling, intense sorrow etched on his face.

“Steve.” He finally looked up. “It’ll be okay.”

You turned to leave but as you did you you swear you heard him whisper “But I need you.”

You paused for half a second but then kept going out the office door. You couldn’t bear to look at his face again, or else you might change your mind. Tears were already brimming, threatening to spill over.

You made your way down the hall towards the elevator. A sound like an office chair being rolled back reached your ears.

“Wait! Please!” You wiped your eyes and turned to see him jogging out of his office and down the hallway after you. His expression was desperate.

“Steve, I’m sorry but you can’t convince me to stay.”

“No it’s not that— I just...I just really need to kiss you right now.”

“Wha-?” The word couldn’t leave your lips because his came crashing down to meet them instead. They were soft and tender yet the kiss itself was filled with urgency, desire that long had been buried deep. He pushed you up against the wall and pressed himself as close as he can. Somewhere, your brain screamed at you to DO SOMETHING and you reciprocated, deepening the kiss, putting your arms around his waist, and feeling it as his breath caught in surprise.

He pulled away, and you stared at each other, breathing hard, waiting to see who would speak first. Steve caved first, his words tumbling out.

“I had to. If you aren’t going to work here anymore, then I had to, before I lost my chance and my nerve. I’ve wanted you for over a year and I kept quiet to keep our relationship professional but now? To hell with it, I think I’m in love—”

Steve’s words were silenced. You heard all you needed and the decision was made. Pressing your lips back onto his, you pushed off the wall and began backing him back down to his office. You slid your hands up his stomach, and over his chest, that almost-too-small t-shirt leaving nothing to the imagination. He took the hint and lifted his arms up while you got to work jerking the shirt untucked from his waistline.

You felt the rest of his desire straining just below his belt. Upon re-entering the office, you kicked the door shut, tossed his t-shirt to the side, and backed him straight towards the couch against the far wall. You pushed him onto it and eased in to straddle him as his hands slid up your thighs and up under your shirt. You undid his belt and zipper as his fingers played at the edges of your lacy black bra. His eyes were full of relief, contentment, and hunger.

“Well I guess the feeling is mutual,” Steve quipped.

You smirked. “Yes, Steve, it is.”

#star's marvel mayhem challenge #steve rogers one shot #steve rogers fic #steve rogers x reader #what in the hell was i thinking

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slothspaghettiwrites · 3 years

Note

I will be participating with satyr! Stephen Strange, and my song of choice is machineheart - speak in tongues

It goes 'Oh can you save me from the sickness of love?'//I spin a silver string and hang up all the stars that you'll find

Oh bestie, you are gonna kill me with this ain't ya?

52. Oh can you save me from the sickness of love? / I spin a silver string and hang up all the stars that you’ll find - Speak in Tongues by Machineheart

Sloth's Marvelous Monster Mayhem Writing Challenge

#sloth asks #boop le snoot #SlothsMMMWritingChallenge

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lov3nerdstuff · 4 years

Text

Mirror | Mirror

Crossover (Marvel x Star Wars)

*Loki & Ben Solo*

Genre: Humor, Friendship

Words: 7.1k

Warning: one spoiler for the latest star wars movie, I guess...

Summary: A story of what happens when two lost souls who deserved better end up forming an unlikely alliance to escape a golden prison.

A.N.: I know this doesn't exactly follow the Marvel nor the Star Wars logic, but I hope it will bring you joy in its very own right 💚💚✨✨

Also check out my Masterlist!

______________________________

It started completely at random… Loki was strolling through the halls of Valhalla, inevitably bored out of his mind. He didn't really see his place among those self proclaimed heroes and mighty fallen soldiers, and deep down he realized that he probably didn't deserve to be here in the first place (in his eyes, at least). The entire concept of dying annoyed him greatly in general, and he would've loved to do absolutely anything BUT sitting in the grand, golden halls and do absolutely nothing day in day out. At one point he had considered if he should just cause all the mayhem possible (and impossible, for he liked a challenge), so that he would get kicked out of here eventually, but after weeks of fruitless attempts, he had to realize that he couldn't (as of yet…) escape the everlasting, sickening contentment of eternity. So while everyone else was feasting literally ALL THE TIME, Loki wandered the great halls by himself, thinking that this was exactly like Asgard, only more crowded. And even more golden.

But one day, Loki came across an enormous mirror, framed in the same boring gold he had come to despise so much by now. Yet, this mirror caught his interest, for it seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, no sooner than over the course of the last day. Valhalla wasn't really filled with vain decorations like that, usually.

With a deep frown, Loki went on to inspect the mirror (it was something to do, at last!) with the utmost attention, but all he really found was his own reflection. As he walked on however, ready to leave the silly mirror behind, he caught a glimpse of something quite different than his own reflection, barely registered it out of the corners of his eye, but he was more than certain that it was there. Another inspection… same results. It was an ordinary mirror, by all means. But whenever he attempted to step away, he would feel the eyes of another following his every move, watching him out of the mirror. He found it both unsettling and fascinating to equal measure.

For the next time, Loki was more attentive towards his surroundings (he always was, really) and shot every reflecting surface a questioning glare that he was certain to be returned just the same. Only that it didn't come from his own eyes. He felt watched and followed in his every move, until at last he returned to the mirror in the hallway nobody but him ever seemed to set foot into.

"I know you're there, and whoever you are, I demand that you show yourself to me." He ordered sternly, but quietly enough to not disturb the dreadful silence that ruled everywhere but in the hall of the everlasting feast. Nothing. So Loki went on to sit in front of the mirror, legs crossed at the ankles as he leaned against a marble pillar and simply stared at the mirror. He was absolutely certain that something or someone was watching him, and he was dead set to find out who it was.

"You know, I have all of eternity to wait for you to show yourself." Loki commented with a condescending sigh that was rather badly feigned, for his measure at least. No, he was all but annoyed, all but knowing… he was curious, and unfortunately more hopeful than he cared to admit even to himself.

"So do I…" A deep voice answered him suddenly, and Loki jumped to his feet in an instant as he prepared to defend himself from whoever this person, this man in the mirror was. He still couldn't see a single thing but his own reflection, but he had heard the voice very clearly and definitely not in his head.

"I can't see you, but you seem to see me. Don't you think that's a bit unfair?" Loki spoke again, careful, as he circled the mirror like a predator. Only that he felt more like prey at the moment, and he didn't like that feeling at all.

"I would call that a blemish of circumstance, not a matter of fairness." The man replied just as doubtfully as Loki felt at the moment.

"But I'm not specifically what you would call a patient person." Loki said as he came to stand back in front of the mirror, daggers drawn just in case.

"If I'm wasting your time, you can always go back to sulking in that golden hall everyone seems to take so much pleasure in…" The voice commented almost in amusement, and Loki rolled his eyes at the mention of the feasting hall nobody ever really bothered to leave. Afterlife unfortunately meant an EVERLASTING feast indeed, for all who were into that kind of thing.

"Maybe we should start this whole thing over again." Loki finally said with a sigh and let his blades disappear a moment later. In all seriousness, what did he have to lose? He was dead already, and it wasn't like this man could do any more harm to him than that. So he dropped his hostile and arrogant facade for a moment and went with truthfulness… maybe that would get him further. "You CAN see me, I assume…"

"Yes." The man replied calmly, obviously going along with his attempt to drop the hostility from the conversation.

"And how are you in the mirror?" Loki asked rather bluntly, but he didn't know how to phrase the question in any way that would've sounded more intelligent.

"I… I'm in a mirror?" He spoke in an almost weary way that made Loki rise his eyebrows in return. "I died, and now I'm here…"

Oh… so the man had died just as Loki had… but somehow he had ended up in a different dimension than the one Loki currently inhabited. That at least explained why Loki could actually talk to him, for conversing with a living, breathing being from up (or down?) here in Valhalla wasn't really entirely possible. As of yet.

"I'm in Valhalla. And as you are speaking to me through a mirror in Valhalla, I believe you must be here as well, in a way…" Loki spoke before he could keep the little snippet of information to himself. But what did it hurt to tell this stranger?

"Valhalla?" The man asked after a moment of silence.

"Yes. Hall of the fallen warriors, place of eternal feasts and so on and so forth…"

"You're dead as well?"

"Obviously."

"But there are people around you."

"... obviously?" Loki frowned deeply as he started pacing back and forth in front of the mirror. "I assume your afterlife is of a different kind?"

"Oh yes. I am alone, but for the haze I can see through into your world… your 'Valhalla'. It must be the Force that connects me to your world…"

"The 'Force'?" Loki rose an eyebrow and stopped pacing, standing still a mere few inches away from the smooth glassy surface.

"I can feel it… the Force existing within you. You must be anchoring me to your world."

"I doubt you are referring to the right god… there are by far more forceful warriors in these halls than me." Loki frowned in amusement, yet also intrigued. This conversation was the most interesting thing that had happened to him ever since he had come to this sense forsaken place.

"God? Do you mean… you are not human?" The man asked in what sounded like both shock and disbelief.

"Seriously… where are you even from? Don't you know Asgard? Never heard of the old gods, of Hel and Valhalla? Or the nine worlds, at least?" Loki tried, not even attempting to sound annoyed anymore. The longer they talked, the more he got the impression that the man in the mirror might REALLY come from a place very far away… maybe further than Loki had ever been.

"Where do YOU come from to believe that there are only nine worlds? Ridiculous… there's millions!"

"I know that!" Loki rolled his eyes. "But you know, mythology and legend and… let's forget about that for a moment. I start to believe you might be from an entirely different dimension… not only now in death, but to your lifetime as well. Do you have any idea how you ended up building a bridge, of sorts, to MY dimension?"

"It must be the Force…"

"You and your 'Force'... I doubt that physical strength and power suffice to connect through the entire multiverse."

"You are seriously from another universe, aren't you…"

"Well, better realize it late than never." Loki rolled his eyes again. "Can we both accept that as common ground now? We are, in fact, both dead, and we are definitely not from the same place. And it's a multiverse, by the way, not a universe… you might just want to believe me in that regard."

"A multiverse… connected by the Force?"

"What Force do you keep talking about?!" Loki sighed as he sat back down against the marble pillar, eyeing his own reflection as he spoke.

"How can you be so Force sensitive and still not know about its existence? Have you… have you never moved objects without touching them?"

"Well, obviously I have…" Loki mused with yet another frown. Slowly he got an idea about what the fellow in the mirror must be talking about. "I believe we are referring to the same thing by different terms. In my world, it's called seidr or magic, typically."

"The force isn't 'magic', it's… well, maybe it is, under another term. Tell me, can you read minds? Move objects? Heal people?"

"I can… but not everyone. It's a matter of training, really, as it's a matter of birth. Not all species are capable of magic, and even the ones that are have only very few individual who possess the necessary qualities to use it."

"That does sound very similar, at least."

"Great… so you are capable of magic… or 'the Force'?" Loki questioned curiously as he leaned his head against the cold stone behind him. Now this was getting even more interesting. One magical being trying to escape Valhalla (or rather death) was as good as none, but two…

"Yes, I have completed my training, if you want to call it that. But I can't seem to reach your world through this haze I find myself stuck in."

"So you tried to read my mind?" Loki rose an eyebrow, as an involuntary smirk played on his lips. Usually he wasn't too fond of competition, but this was something else… something that might not need to become a competition in the first place. Maybe rather... an alliance, he thought. "Maybe it didn't work because I can keep you out of my head."

"I assume you can… You are well practiced, in that case." Now, the man in the mirror sounded almost amused too.

"Please, no need to flatter me." Loki said in sarcasm, shrugging, and got a small chuckle in return. "I've been practicing my magic for quite a while. Have you? With your Force I mean."

"All my life."

"And how long is that?" Loki couldn't really help his curiosity anymore, and he didn't really see any reason in suppressing it.

"That depends on how you count the years, or time in general, in your world."

"Well, you certainly aren't as shallow minded as the humans in this world. You are human, aren't you?"

"Yes. In my world, I am 30. Or rather… was, when I died."

Now Loki couldn't help laughing. A mortal at the age of 30… well, the ones he knew were quite different from this man in the mirror. And honestly… for someone this young, he was keeping up quite well with a god of thousands of years. But one could argue that time went a little differently for Asgardians than it did for humans… anyway, Loki was rather impressed than trying to mock him.

"It's a bit more complicated for me, but we can say I'm roughly a thousand years old." Loki chuckled in amusement, already waiting for the other's astonishment, which never came though.

"Well, if you're a god as you say, that doesn't really sound too old either. But what do I know about gods..."

Despite the remaining doubt, Loki actually felt himself growing to like this fellow, somehow… he was interesting. "What's your name, man in the mirror?"

"I am Kylo Ren. What's yours, god in the golden halls?"

"That does sound very much made up. But alright, if you don't want to keep it honest…" Loki sighed audibly as he rose to his feet and started sauntering off.

"Wait! Alright, I… I'm Ben. Ben Solo."

With his back to the mirror, Loki smirked to himself. As if he'd ever actually wanted to leave… pfff. With one swift movement, he returned to his spot in front of the mirror. "My name is Loki." He spoke at last, without smirking.

"No last name?"

"I have many aliases… Odinson, Laufeyson, god of mischief, god of lies… However I prefer just Loki."

"God of lies?"

"I know, not the most flattering title. But I assume as I didn't pick it, it doesn't really tell much about me."

"You must've done something to earn it though."

"I like to tell stories. Alternative truths, possibilities… There's never one truth, but most fail to see that. Everyone's world is a construction of the stories they tell themselves. Call them stories, or call them lies… it doesn't matter."

"I agree. There is rarely black and white, a definite truth and a definite lie... and things even more rarely are as easy as people believe them to be."

"But neither are they as complicated. An absolute only serves to affirm the reality of its opposite."

"So… you don't believe that there's something like a light and a dark side of… magic?"

Loki shrugged. "I believe it depends on the scales we think in. If one only knows black and white, there will be a light and a dark side. Now, some more intelligent individuals may start thinking in grey scales, so that eliminates a separation into a light and a dark side. I myself prefer to think in color though." Again, his words made the fellow, Ben, hum in agreement. After a moment of silence, Loki continued to question his new acquaintance.

"You said you can't use your Force in my world… but you can use it in yours? In death, I mean?"

"I have seen others doing it, before I died. The Force allows us to appear as ghosts, and rarely even interfere in the world of the living. But I can't seem to reach my own dimension, nor yours. I'm stuck in the haze between worlds… must be my bad luck. Maybe I deserve this, after all."

"See, 'ghosts' isn't a term I would be using, as is magic for you. But I believe you're talking about an illusion, and I know about those fairly well." Loki started, for now ignoring the part about whether Ben deserved to be stuck or not. He wasn't one to judge, after all. "Are you certain that you cannot reach my side?"

"I'm not a child, Loki. I know what I'm doing as well as you do."

"Alright, alright…" Loki held his hands up in defeat. "But if that's something you would be interested in, escaping the haze I mean, I would like to offer my help."

"Why would you do that?"

'Because I'm bored out of my mind and you're my best chance of escaping death' Loki thought, but didn't word his aims. "Are you really in a position to question my motives?" He said instead.

"Yes. I'm dead, what more could happen to me?"

"You could live. If we work together, we might just be able to escape death's realm."

"But then I will be stuck in your reality…"

"Oh, crossing between dimensions is fairly easy. It's escaping death that's the hard part." Loki shrugged, nervously tapping his fingers on his knee. Death could be escaped, he knew that. Only that escaping Hel was WAY easier than escaping Valhalla, because honestly… while everybody tried to get out of Hel, nobody had ever wanted to escape from the everlasting feast. Until now. The possibility of escape shrunk with the inhabitants' missing wish to do just that, as everything that could be thought could also be made possible. If a thought existed in many minds, it became more and more likely to become real, and thus possible. But with only Loki thinking of escape, it was just so much harder. He needed Ben's help.

"Alright… How do we go about it?"

"How should I know? You're the one stuck with the Force."

"And you're the magic god."

Loki grumbled to himself and rolled his eyes… but in all honesty, he preferred to be the one drawing up plans anyway. Just another leftover habit of a childhood together with Thor.

"Yeah, well… If you're connected to this place, there's gotta be a link somewhere. A door, kind of. Maybe someone just needs to open it for you." With that, Loki rose to his feet and started testing different spells and tricks on the mirror. Now that he knew what he was looking for and dealing with, it actually didn't take him long at all to find a barrier, of sorts, that with a little thinking and a lot more trying, he could finally lower just enough for something to enter into the mirror dimension of his own world.

Taking a few steps backwards, he eyed the figure that slowly came into view. Loki watched how he came walking towards the mirror, where the worlds met only separated by a thin glass, until at last he could see the entire person only a few feet away.

"Well, at last I get to connect a face to the voice." Loki commented as he watched his opposite with great interest. All dressed in black, and hair as raven as his own… but he really did look horribly young. "Hello Ben."

"I'm still stuck inside a mirror." Ben replied, but his voice sounded a lot more real, with less echo than before. Loki rose an eyebrow at him.

"Well, I consider this a success. One step at a time and all that. You're in the mirror dimension of my world… you should be able to see the same halls as I do now." Loki commented as he crossed his arms behind his back and studied the young man carefully. He didn't really look like he was capable of much… but then again, Loki didn't either. Maybe that was a good thing. And he definitely wore different garments than the warriors who resided in Valhalla, a lot more like Midgardian clothes with a spacey twist.

"I have a physical form now at least, so that's a good thing first of all. Being a matterless presence isn't really all too pleasant of an experience." Ben said quietly, and Loki smirked. Yeah, not being corporeal was a nuisance indeed, and he found it amusing that his new acquaintance seemed to dislike it just as much.

"Tell me about this mirror dimension." Ben added after a moment, and Loki could feel how he tried to get into his head. The attempt almost made him snort.

"I will tell you if you would kindly refrain from trying to intrude in my mind." Loki chuckled. "You will not succeed, and it must take more energy trying than to simply listen to my words."

"So you did feel the Force in your mind?"

"Oh yes. Pretty weakly, but I can't tell if that's because of the dimensional gap between us or because of the quality of your attempt."

"I would assume the former."

"Of course you would." Loki smirked, but since the assault on his thoughts had stopped like he'd asked, he actually went on to explain the basics of the to him known dimensions in all honesty.

"So I will have to cross between dimensions myself?" Ben finally asked with a deep frown. "How do I do that?"

"Like everything else you do with your Force…" Loki shrugged. "Practice."

"And you're doing what exactly? Watch me fail and have a fun time?"

"Precisely." Loki smirked to himself, upon which he earned himself an annoyed glare. "It's not like I have anything else to do. And I can't really help you."

"Well, if it's so easy then come on into my dimension yourself."

"Easy indeed."

"Well, and then you can take me back to your side. From what you've explained, it should be easy as that." Ben rose an eyebrow at him, looking completely unimpressed, which only made Loki feel even more stupid than he would anyway. It couldn't be as simple as that, could it?

"Did anyone ever tell you that you're annoying?" Loki grumbled as he did ready himself to cross into the mirror dimension. Up until today, he hadn't even know that there was, in fact, a mirror dimension to Valhalla.

"Did anyone ever tell YOU that you're ill-tempered?"

"Likewise." With that, Loki crossed over to the other side even more easily than he had expected. Odd… but not unappreciated.

The very moment he existed within the same reality as Ben, Loki felt the intrusion into his head once more. At least the attempt at it, which this time was actually quite hard to fight off, and Loki had to grin immediately.

"Nah, you're doing it all wrong… There's an easier way." He chuckled, and in return got into Ben's head as if he didn't even try to block him out. Loki saw quite a bit in there: family issues, darkness, betrayal… things not remotely unfamiliar to him. But there was a turning point, a ray of light in the darkness. A Rey of light. Loki frowned, and that allowed Ben to block him out entirely.

"You had NO business seeing that!" He glared at Loki in full on rage, and Loki actually did feel a little bit sorry for snooping. But Ben had started it, after all… so it kinda was his own fault.

"I believe we're not all that different, you and me…" Loki said calmly, without a smile, but still almost friendly.

"You know nothing about me."

"I know enough. And I know that neither you nor I would profit off a fight."

"You intruded in my mind!"

"Because you tried to get into mine first." Loki gave him a no-nonsense look, then continued on as his words seemed to get through to Ben. "Stop trying to use your Force thing on me, and I won't use my magic on you. Because honestly, I'd prefer not to be choked by anybody ever again, and I doubt you'd like your gut pierced by an ice blade the size of your arm."

Ben rose an eyebrow at Loki in mild confusion, but he seemed to believe him at least that a fight would be to nobody's benefit. Maybe this mortal was brighter than Loki had originally thought… they certainly did have quite a bit in common. Both driven to darkness by their own families, in one way or another, betrayed by the ones closest and abused by the ones found by, and at last, saved from the dark, saved from themselves. Granted, Loki hadn't seen everything within Ben's mind… but he'd seen enough to know that he was dangerous and intelligent. That sufficed to be likeable, to the god.

"Let's see if we can get out of the mirror dimension…" Loki finally said, and upon Ben's approving nod, he brought them back to the real Valhalla.

_______________

They had been sauntering through the golden halls for quite some time already, all the while Loki actually did make an effort to explain to Ben his reality and the difference between going to Valhalla and Hel, after death. It really wasn't that difficult, but it still almost amused Loki how quickly Ben seemed to wrap his head around the idea that this was, in fact, a different reality.

After mere hours, Ben understood why Loki had been bored out of his mind in this place… in comparison to this, a star destroyer was an entertainment paradise. But neither of the two men actually planned on staying here, that much they had already agreed upon. And they had actually refrained from using their powers on each other, which, secretly, had surprised both of them.

"Loki, why do you know how to escape Hel, but not Valhalla?" Ben questioned with a frown, as they passed by the great feasting hall.

"Because I have escaped from Hel before." Loki rolled his eyes, but more to himself than at the young man walking next to him. He really didn't feel like sharing his past right now… and still, after looking into Ben's mind, he felt like he owed him some information. A little, at least.

"How?"

"Well, let's say I knew the boss down there." Loki mused with a displeased expression. "Only that, until recently, I didn't know she was a relative, in a way. Adopted. But still..."

"What? How…"

"You have got enough family issues on your own, please, don't burden yourself with mine."

Ben shot him a glare in pure dismay, but refrained from protesting any further. Up until recently, he would have simply ignored this 'alliance' between himself and the god and demanded answers, even if by fighting him for it. But now… Ben actually found himself thankful, for once. Loki had brought him here, even if only in his own interest, but still he had bettered his situation immensely. And even the tiniest prospect of being able to return to life, now that he had discovered a life worth living, was worth all of this.

Still, they both refrained from talking about anything personal from then on. For days on end they solemnly focused on drawing up plan upon plan for how they could possibly escape. They tried everything, Loki's magic, the Force, any combination of both… and thereby ended up more or less willing letting each other in on how their respective skills worked, and how to use them.

Ben had been right, Loki was indeed very receptive to the Force, and with his prior knowledge of magic, it was fairly easy for him to control it decently enough. Ben himself however was a little slower to grasp the ways of Loki's magic, as it required a little more… creativity, but to both their great surprise, Loki actually found it rather amusing to teach Ben some of his magic. Obviously not all of it, but just enough to be of good use.

And while they tried everything to even as much as scratch at the borders of death's realm, every attempt to break out of this golden prison turned out to be in vain. Absolutely nothing they came up with was even remotely working, and while they slowly grew less weary of each other, they definitely grew weary of the overall situation. They stayed clear of the feasting hall, but almost everyone who still came across them shot Ben the most disgusted, questioning looks, which he returned with hostile glares. Luckily, almost everyone was also drunk on a constant basis, so it didn't matter all that much that he didn't really fit in with all the norse gods facing eternity up here.

After a few weeks of fruitless attempts to escape however, they sat in an empty hallway utterly frustrated with themselves, and thus also with each other.

"You know, if escaping from Hel is so much easier, maybe I should've ended up there instead of up here with a moody god." Ben sighed to himself.

"You definitely should have." Loki replied in a quiet grumble. "I wouldn't have to bother with you then."

"I wouldn't have to bother with you!" Ben snorted bitterly. "But as it seems, you've already earned yourself quite some time in hell."

"Hel, not hell. But it's the same anyway… And don't pretend you're any better. I know what you've done."

"Then you know that I deserve to be in hell rather than heaven."

"HEL, not… oh whatever." Loki groaned and hit his head against the gold-framed marble behind him. "Do you think I deserve to be up here?"

"No. Not really." Ben replied honestly, frowning at the god. "But I didn't look into your head. So what do I know..."

"At least I only tried to subjugate a planet. I didn't destroy it."

"Yeah, well, I'm not specifically proud of that either, can you imagine…" Ben hissed at Loki, who only rolled his eyes and looked away. A long moment of silence followed, as deafening as the sounds of an entire battlefield. They weren't fighting, really… not with each other at least.

"Stop it." Loki said sternly, all of a sudden, breaking the silence and the downward spiral in Ben's head at the same time.

"Stop what? I'm not doing anything!"

"Stop pitying yourself."

"I am not pitying myself."

"Well, then stop blaming yourself." Loki rolled his eyes again, looked at Ben, then back into the opposite direction. "Everyone has a past, and yet you have no place in hell, Ben Solo."

"Hel, not hell." Ben replied with with a sarcastic undertone and the tiniest smirk, right before a blade of ice hit the marble pillar shortly above his head. He didn't even flinch, only looked at Loki in bitter amusement. For a moment, the god glared at the younger man in feigned annoyance and anger, until at last he rolled his eyes and couldn't help but smirk as well.

"I doubt that you deserve to be in Hel either… You helped me get here. You showed me your magic." Ben finally said in a calmer tone.

"Yeah, hooray… I helped you walk through a mirror, right into a golden prison." Loki sighed, but if he was honest, he felt kind of touched by Ben's words. However, he would never admit that much. "And I throw blades at you."

"I'm dead anyway." Ben shrugged. "What's going to happen? I die even more?"

"Well, no… but I myself would definitely go to hell if I killed you now. We are… partners, after all." Loki sighed, rising his eyebrows at Ben for a moment. Yeah, they really were partners by now… friends even, but Loki wouldn't go as far as to say it out loud. He liked Ben, respected him even, in a Loki kinda way.

"So you're saying you would go to Hel, right from Valhalla, if you killed me?" Ben inquired as he sat up straight once more. "And thus I would go to Hel if I kill you?"

"I thought we talked about this." Loki replied with a sigh. "I'm not killing you, and you're not killing me."

"But if we would… We could go to Hel. And you said yourself escaping Hel is easier." Ben argued, and finally the spark jumped on to Loki, as his eyes widened and he looked at Ben intently.

"I tried… well, one cannot end their… own life, up here." Loki mused, as he rose to his feet and started pacing back and forth in front of Ben, who still sat on the floor. "But maybe we can indeed end each other. We won't really die any more or get hurt even, that wouldn't really work as we're both kind of matterless and all… but it's the spirit that counts."

"That's what I'm saying. We kill each other up here, and we might just go to Hel. Or nothing happens. There's nothing to lose, right?"

"No. We're dead anyway." Loki shrugged with a mischievous smirk, as he held a hand out to Ben to pull him onto his feet.

_______________

They agreed to do it Loki's way, since there were no lightsabers in Valhalla and Loki wasn't particularly fond of being choked. Thus he taught Ben how to conjure and throw blades, even if he'd had doubts at first. Yet… something, some unfathomable reasons (of which Ben said it was 'the Force' yet again) made Loki want to trust Ben indeed, and while Loki was reluctant to do so, Ben found himself inclined to trust Loki still. If the Force had brought them together somehow and now urged him to trust the god, he would not refuse.

As soon as Ben had grasped the magic Loki had shown to him, they got ready to put their plan into action, standing in the empty hallway facing each other as each conjured a blade.

"Ready?" Loki rose an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I don't have an eternity to waste." Ben replied, feeling more nervous still than he wanted to let on. This was a leap of faith, kind of. But he'd do anything to return to the living.

"Ha, well, I kinda do. Nowhere to go and all that… Anyway… I'm tired of the gold." Loki mused, and a moment later, upon his nod, they both threw their blades.

_______________

Hel was dark, cold… a place of the kind that had one's skin covered in goosebumps and sweat, and one's mind anxiously on edge. And it was an awful lot more like what Ben was used to. He still felt shockingly sympathetic, almost remorseful that Loki seemed to have spent enough time in this place to know his way around.

Loki on the other hand was smiling brightly for the sole reason that this inane plan had worked out in the first place. Hel didn't scare him anymore… he'd seen worse places.

"You alright?" He asked as he turned around to Ben though, rising an eyebrow at the younger man.

"Do you suddenly start to care?" Ben chuckled.

"Nah…" Loki shrugged as he turned back to the path they were on, a thin line of solid ground in the mushy waste of a reality long abandoned.

"Why were you here so often?" Ben asked after a while. "I know you don't want me to look into your head, so I'm asking politely for information."

"You probably could look into my mind, by now, if you really made the effort." Loki mused, with a sigh, but not in annoyance nor in anger.

"But you don't want me to."

"Do you always do what other people want you to do?"

"I have tried to be… better, recently." Ben replied with a sigh. "You know what happened, you saw it."

"I did… and I never really had the ambition to be better. I tried, all my life, to be enough."

"Enough for whom?"

"I don't even know anymore. My father, maybe… or my brother."

"And? Did you succeed?"

"No. I came to realize that I would never be enough for them, and that realization was freeing at last." Loki didn't even know why he was telling him all that. Maybe because death, Hel, was a place as vain as Loki's past had been. But he would spend more energy on being enough for himself from now on, and escaping death with Ben was a fairly good start to that.

"I take it then that your life wasn't all that glorious either…" Ben mused, carefully eyeing the looming darkness around them. "Where are we going anyway?"

"Oh, my life was glorious, but a little… misled. It does not matter. We will be leading a new life, you will return to your Rey of light, and I… will find my way around."

"You know of Rey?"

"I know the name, at least. It was all over your thoughts." Loki grinned to himself, and Ben said nothing in return, so Loki went on. "And we're going to find the boss down here so I can talk some sense to them."

It took about half an hour for Loki to figure out the right way, and surprisingly Ben was patient all the while. He didn't really enjoy not having the upper hand, but considering the circumstances, having Loki as a guide was the best option he had. Loki knew his way around Hel, he had relations and knowledge… everything Ben was lacking in this reality, and thus he let the god take the lead.

At last, Loki found who he had been looking for… Hela's replacement. The man seemed to recognize Loki immediately, and jumped off his high throne as Ben and Loki approached.

"My Lord! I… I have been waiting for your arrival!" The man bowed just a little too far to not ridicule himself. "It was but a matter of time until another of Odin's children would be sent to rule over Hel."

"I am not here to rule, but to demand passage for me and my… friend, into the realms of the living." Loki replied carefully, for even he was a little surprised by the sudden turn of events. Surely he did feel flattered to have someone bowing to him once more… but the wish to rule had died along with him. He wanted to live. With a purpose other than fulfilling a destiny that's not his.

"But… my lord…" The man frowned, eyeing first Loki and then Ben wearily. "You MUST! I… I cannot make that decision, to let the dead rise again."

"Well, neither can I." Loki shrugged, taking just a little more joy in Ben's utterly confused face than necessary.

"But, once you take on your position as legitimate ruler of Hel, you will have every power to do so." The man argued, once more bowing humbly as Loki's eyes fixed on him.

"It really is the same everywhere…" Ben sighed deeply, to himself, then turned towards Loki. "You ceased to mention that you're a big deal down here."

Loki however ignored Ben's comment for now, and focused on the other man. "What happens if I refuse?"

"Well, you'll… stay dead, I assume. Until an heir is found." The man shrugged a little helplessly.

"Alright…" Loki sighed and rolled his eyes. He really wasn't too fond of the idea, but maybe he would be able to talk his way out of this, as usual. "I'll do it."

"What?" Ben asked immediately. "This is not what we planned!"

"In case you haven't noticed, this isn't my idea of fun either. But do you want to rot in this place for a small eternity until someone comes along who can be reasoned with? No? Thought so." Loki rolled his eyes at Ben, whose lips were still set into a grim line, but at least the frown had fallen off his face.

"Then you, Loki, son of Odin, shall hereby be declared rightful king of Hel and master of the netherworlds." The man spoke loudly, with way more pomp than either of the present men would've preferred. A long moment of silence followed, as all three waited for something to happen.

"And… that was it?" Ben asked at last, frowning at Loki who returned the same unknowing expression with a shrug. "Do you… feel any different?"

"Not… specifically, no." Loki replied wearily, then turned to shoot the strange man an irritated look.

"Oh, your majesty may want to sit down on the throne." Said man replied easily, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Loki rolled his eyes, but did as suggested, upon which, at last, he started feeling an eerie connection to the place surrounding them. Hel's might crawled into his veins like a liquid that mixed with his blood, equally freezing and scorching his being from the inside. A second later it was all over again, and he looked down at an irritated Ben and an expectant servant.

"Kneel." Loki ordered in a calm voice, not showing any emotion as he merely pulled up his eyebrows.

And while the strange man dropped down immediately, Ben only rose an eyebrow in return and crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Just because you're a big deal in your reality now doesn't mean you're less of an idiot."

Loki's lips curled into a humored smirk, and a second later he stood up and jumped down the few steps to the foot of the high throne. "Was worth a try."

Ben rolled his eyes, but couldn't keep the humor out of his face either. Somehow… he was starting to really enjoy the company of the god. He was just enough of an idiot to be likeable.

"Your majesty, what will be your first command?" The man still kneeling in front of Loki asked reluctantly.

"Get up." Loki replied almost friendly, and the man followed order immediately. "You will be my deputy in charge down here while I'm gone. I shall come back… occasionally, to see that things are going well."

"That is an honor too grand for me, your majesty." The man whined. "I cannot…"

"You must, and you will." Loki said easily. "You did well before I was here, and you will do well once I'm gone."

The man nodded, and retreated with another deep bow, while Loki turned to Ben. "What a nuisance… but I assume being able to venture among the dead and the living has its perks. Some higher magic will also come in handy."

"Great, but can we go now?"

"You're impatient as a child." Loki groaned and rolled his eyes yet again.

"And you're slow as an old man." Ben replied mockingly and thereby earned himself a glare.

"I'm a king now."

"And I'm annoyed."

"Your bad."

"Can we go now?"

"Give me your hand."

"What? No!"

"Either that or I will look into your mind again." Loki stated, holding his hand out expectantly. He could easily create a portal to the worlds of the living, now that he was the highest authority down here, but he would first need to know where to go, exactly. He needed Ben to be the bridge to his own reality.

"As if you could still look into my mind." Ben snorted defensively. "Not only you have learned over the course of our alliance."

"Wanna bet?" Loki rose an eyebrow with a completely indifferent expression, and with quietly uttered insults, Ben indeed let Loki grab onto his wrist.

"Now think of your reality. Of a place you want to go, a place that will exist and be safe. Because honestly, I would prefer not to get lost between realities again." Loki said calmly, and Ben frowned.

"Does that mean you're also going to my reality?"

"Well, I'm not too fond of Hel, and while my home world was destroyed, and my place of birth is nothing but rocks and icicles, the remaining worlds around here aren't too fond of me either. I kinda have a bad reputation."

"I wonder why that is." Ben smirked to himself, and Loki also had to grin at the comment. "But let's get out of here."

"Ready to rise from the dead?" Loki asked with a smirk, and upon Ben's nod, they left death behind to start their lives anew. A life of trying to be better for someone else's sake, and a life of trying to be enough for oneself.

______________________________

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Cover by Federico Vicentini

VARIANT COVER BY Andrea Sorrentino

• The Kree nanosuit known as Stormranger was once bonded to Ms. Marvel…but after deciding Kamala’s version of justice wasn’t deadly enough, Stormranger rebelled against her.

• Now Stormranger is charting her own course – just in time for the united Kree/Skrull Empire to engulf Earth in a centuries-old conflict. Whose side is this ruthless space vigilante on, and how much havoc will she wreak before we find out?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

EMPYRE: THOR #1 (OF 3)

RAM V. [W]• PASQUAL FERRY (A/C)

Variant cover by MEGHAN HETRICK

RESHAPING THE COSMOS!

The Earth is under attack — and for Thor, the fight is personal! Gaea, goddess of nature and Thor’s birth mother, has fallen ill…and it has something to do with the reason the Kree and Skrull are here! The journey to save her — and all Midgard — will expand the Asgardian pantheon in a whole new direction! Critically acclaimed writer Ram V. (These Savage Shores, Justice League Dark) and fan-favorite artist Pasqual Ferry take Thor to the ends of the Earth!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

EMPYRE: SQUADRON SUPREME #1 (OF 2)

MARK WAID [W] • Dio Neves (A) • Cover by PACO MEDINA

Variant by Carlos Pacheco

The invasion has begun! But the alien invaders soon encounter resistance in the form of the Squadron Supreme of America! As the two forces clash, only one thing is clear…the fight for America’s survival has begun!

32 pages/Rated T+ …$3.99

EMPYRE: THE INVASION OF WAKANDA #1 (OF 3)

Jim Zub [W]• LAN MEDINA (A) • COVER BY Dustin Weaver

VARIANT COVER BY DAVID NAKAYAMA

The heart of Wakanda — its mighty store of Vibranium — comes under threat as the villains of EMPYRE launch their invasion of Earth!

Black Panther’s Agents of Wakanda form the front line against the alien invasion, but the enemy’s powers are vast and unknown. With T’Challa off fighting alongside the Avengers, General Okoye is in charge — and even with the superhumans are her disposal, she may find herself outmatched.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

EMPYRE: AVENGERS #2 (of 3)

Jim Zub [W] • Carlos Magno (A) • COVER BY PAUL RENAUD

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

Earth’s Mightiest Heroes fight an intergalactic foe on three fronts! In New York, a villain from the past has been super charged with alien energy. In Mexico, old hatreds turn allies into enemies. And in the Savage Land, the soul of the jungle has been stolen and Shanna the She-Devil’s life hangs in the balance. It’s mystery, magic and mayhem, in the Mighty Marvel Manner!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

EMPYRE: GHOST RIDER #1

ED BRISSON [W] • JEFTE PALO (A) • COVER BY AARON KUDER

VARIANT COVER BY JUAN FRIGERI

An intergalactic war comes crashing into a supernatural showdown between the Spirit of Corruption and the Spirit of Pollution! But who will be left standing?

40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99

LORDS OF EMPYRE: CELESTIAL MESSIAH #1

ALEX PAKNADEL [W] • Alex Lins (A) • Cover by Rod Reis

VARIANT COVER BY Josh Cassara

The eve of Quoi’s ascension is at hand! But when the trials are interrupted by an unexpected interloper—Mantis—who will win this battle of wills?

Don’t miss out as mother and son go head-to-head, revealing secrets that will shape the course of the galaxy!

40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99

EMPYRE: SPIDER–MAN #2 (of 3)

TARAN KILLAM [W] • DIEGO OLORTEGUI (A) • Cover by HUMBERTO RAMOS

VARIANT COVER BY Dale Keown

• The Kree and the Skrulls are here, and the world has been turned upside down.

• Spider-Man’s neighborhood is part of that world, and Spider-Man is in deep trouble fighting a villain who could ruin Peter and Mary Jane’s relationship forever.

32 pages/Rated T …$3.99

THE UNION #1 (OF 5)

PAUL GRIST [W] • Andrea Di Vito (A) • Cover by R.B. Silva

Variant Cover by Ema Lupacchino

DESIGN VARIANT COVER BY R.B. SILVA

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

EMPYRE VARIANT COVER BY TBA

The grand unveiling of The Union! A team of super heroes gathered from all over the United Kingdom, featuring Union Jack, Snakes, Kelpie, Choir, and their fearless leader, Brittania! But when disaster strikes on their first public debut, in the form of the invasion of Empyre, the fledgling team is immediately pushed to their limits! Don’t miss out on an exciting new chapter of Marvel from legendary creators, Paul Grist (JUDGE DREDD, JACK STAFF) and Andrea Di Vito!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

FANTASTIC FOUR #22

DAN SLOTT [W] • PACO MEDINA (A) • Cover by NICK BRADSHAW

EMPYRE VARIANT COVER BY JAY ANACLETO

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY INHYUK LEE

The return of the new Fantastic Four?!

• The events of EMPYRE threaten all life on Earth and the future balance of power throughout the cosmos!

• And the secret mission that the FF have placed into Valeria and Franklin’s hands requires some big-league help!

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

X–MEN #11

JONATHAN HICKMAN [W]• LEINIL FRANCIS YU (A/C)

EMPYRE VARIANT COVER BY TBA

DAYS OF FUTURE PAST VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER RODRIGUEZ

THE TREES ARE KILLING THE CHILDREN!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

CAPTAIN MARVEL #18

KELLY THOMPSON [W] • CORY SMITH (A)

Cover by JORGE MOLINA

Variant Cover by DAN MORA

CAPTAIN MARVEL IS THE SUPREME ACCUSER!

In the throes of war, Carol finds herself with a bold new role – and a brand-new weapon – the Universal Weapon, in fact. When a Kree soldier bombs a unified city of the Empire, Emperor Hulkling sends his new Accuser to bring down the swift and necessary hammer of justice. But what at first seems like a relatively simple directive will end up challenging Carol on a personal level she had never imagined.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

CAPTAIN MARVEL #19

KELLY THOMPSON [W] • CORY SMITH (A)

Cover by JORGE MOLINA

Variant Cover by ARIEL OLIVETTI

THE ACCUSER GOES ROGUE!

Captain Marvel has stepped into the role of accuser in the newly unified Kree/Skrull Empire. But when she’s tasked to accuse a renegade soldier responsible for heinous crimes, she finds herself torn between two worlds. Don’t miss the revelation of the year – one that will not only change Carol’s whole world, but the shape of the galaxy!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

JUGGERNAUT #1 (OF 5)

FABIAN NICIEZA [W] • RON GARNEY (A) • Cover by GEOFF SHAW

VARIANT COVER BY NICK BRADSHAW

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

HIDDEN GEM VARIANT COVER BY Werner Roth

VARIANT COVER BY SKOTTIE YOUNG

BROWN & RED VARIANT COVER ALSO AVAILABLE

READY OR ‘NAUT, HERE HE COMES!

A mystic gem. A force of overwhelming power. Nothing can stop the Juggernaut. Except himself. Another building falls. Cain Marko is done letting others pick up the pieces of the things he’s destroyed. Renowned X-scribe Fabian Nicieza (X-FORCE, DEADPOOL) and celebrated artist Ron Garney (CAPTAIN AMERICA, DAREDEVIL) team up to take the unstoppable in a new bold new direction!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

X-MEN: GOD LOVES, MAN KILLS EXTENDED CUT #2 (OF 2)

Written by CHRIS CLAREMONT

Penciled by BRENT ANDERSON

Cover by PHIL NOTO

Variant cover by BRENT ANDERSON

The Uncanny X-Men. Magneto, master of magnetism. The bitterest of enemies for years. But now they must join forces against a new adversary who threatens not only mutantkind, but all of humanity beside it…in the name of God. The members of the Stryker Crusade are poised to cleanse the Earth, no matter how much blood stains their hands. Chris Claremont and Brent Anderson’s influential X-Men story is re-presented with all-new pages from the legendary creators themselves!

48 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

X-MEN #12 FACSIMILE EDITION

Written by STAN LEE

Penciled by JACK KIRBY & ALEX TOTH

Cover by JACK KIRBY

The uncanny origin of Professor X…and the unstoppable menace of the Juggernaut! Cain Marko is one of the X-Men’s most formidable foes — and even, over the years, an occasional ally — but what is his connection to Charles Xavier? And what is the secret of his incredible power? The X-Mansion has some of the strongest fortifications and deadliest defenses around, but even they are barely slowing the Juggernaut down as he advances implacably towards his goal: revenge! As Professor X reveals his hidden past and his greatest shame, the teenage mutants known as the X-Men gird for battle…but can they find a way to stop the unstoppable? It’s one of the all-time great Marvel comic books, boldly re-presented in its original form, ads and all! Reprinting X-MEN (1963) #12.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

GIANT-SIZE X-MEN: FANTOMEX #1

JONATHAN HICKMAN [W] • ROD REIS (A/C)

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

HICKMAN AND REIS TAKE ON THE WORLD!

The hit creative team of Jonathan Hickman & Rod Reis (NEW MUTANTS) turn their attention to the covert activities of the Weapon Plus program’s Weapon XIII! A bred killer who choses the life of a gentleman super-thief, Fantomex has always defied expectations… For example, who would expect him to break into the World, the artificial realm of his creation? And then again? And then… again?

40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Parental Advisory …$4.99

CHILDREN OF THE ATOM #2

VITA AYALA [W] • BERNARD CHANG (A) • Cover by R.B. SILVA

VARIANT COVER BY MIKE HENDERSON

DAYS OF FUTURE PAST VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER RODRIGUEZ

BREAKOUT!

A local prison riot is quickly turning into an escape and the only ones who can stop them are a bunch of high schoolers?! The strangest teens of all are on the case! Guest-starring the Avengers!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

X-FACTOR #2

LEAH WILLIAMS [W] • DAVID BALDEÓN (A)

Cover by IVAN SHAVRIN

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY DAVID NAKAYAMA

DAYS OF FUTURE PAST VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER RODRIGUEZ

DANCE OF DEATH!

The team gets their first case — investigating the disappearance of a mutant dancer at a prestigious ballet academy…in the Mojoverse!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

HELLIONS #3

ZEB WELLS [W] • STEPHEN SEGOVIA (A/C)

DESIGN VARIANT COVER BY TOM MULLER

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

MAD AS HELL!

Krakoa’s resident rabble are up against the grand dame of the damned — the Goblin Queen, Madelyne Pryor! Talk about a return that could raise some havoc!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

WOLVERINE #4

BENJAMIN PERCY [W] • VIKTOR BOGDANOVIC (A) • Cover by ADAM KUBERT

VARIANT COVER BY PATRICK GLEASON

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA

DAYS OF FUTURE PAST VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER RODRIGUEZ

THE RED TAVERN!

After getting dressed down by the Quiet Council for rogue activity, Wolverine escapes through his own secret gate to the Red Tavern, a snowbound, backwoods watering hole where he only wants to guzzle whiskey in peace. But Logan soon discovers that peace isn’t possible as a twist-and-turn murder mystery unfolds — and at the heart of it all is an enemy from the past.

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

NEW MUTANTS #11

ED BRISSON [W] • FLAVIANO (A) • Cover by MIKE DEL MUNDO

DAYS OF FUTURE PAST VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER RODRIGUEZ

Helping young mutants in crisis ain’t all sunshine and rainbows — and recently, it’s been downright nightmarish. But maybe the NEW MUTANTS’ luck is changing…

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

CABLE #3

GERRY DUGGAN [W] • PHIL NOTO (A/C)

DESIGN VARIANT COVER BY TOM MULLER

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI

DAYS OF FUTURE PAST VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER RODRIGUEZ

REUNITED FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME!

Deadpool considers Cable one of his oldest and best friends. Cable hasn’t met Deadpool, yet. He’s in for a treat.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

EXCALIBUR #11

TINI HOWARD [W] • MARCUS TO (A) • Cover by MAHMUD ASRAR

BLOOD OF THE CHANGELING!

The Citadel has committed an act of war and Excalibur must respond. While they lick their wounds deep in Otherworld, Apocalypse takes steps toward his ultimate goal.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

MARAUDERS #11

Gerry Duggan [W] • Stefano CASELLI (A) • Cover by RUSSELL DAUTERMAN

THE QUEEN IS DEAD!

The Marauders…the Hellfire Trading Company…all of Krakoa is reeling from the death of Kate Pryde.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

X–FORCE #11

BENJAMIN PERCY [W] • JOSHUA CASSARA (A) • Cover by Dustin weaver

RED DAWN!

After taking on the Flower Cartel, Logan has brought back valuable intel to the mutant CIA. The non-treaty nation of Russia is working to undermine Krakoa — and may be aligned with Xeno. Beast wants Colossus on their side as the first drumbeats of war begin to sound.

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

BLACK WIDOW #2

KELLY THOMPSON [W] • ELENA CASAGRANDE (A)

Cover by ADAM HUGHES

Variant Cover by TAKASHI OKAZAKI

VARIANT COVER BY MATTIA DE IULUS

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY OLIVIER VATINE

GAME VARIANT COVER ALSO AVAILABLE

WIDOW NO MORE?

Something is very wrong with Natasha Romanoff: she’s…happy?! Retirement definitely agrees with the world’s deadliest woman as she revels in the perfect life she never even dreamed she could have. But scratch the surface of that perfect life and you’ll find something very wrong…and a woman like Nat just can’t help but scratch.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

TASKMASTER #2 (OF 5)

JED MACKAY [W] • ALESSANDRO VITTI (A) • Cover by VALERIO GIANGIORDANO

Variant Cover by SALVADOR LARROCA

TARGET: COULSON!

Taskmaster heads to DC for his first victim, Phil Coulson! But Coulson isn’t alone, he’s got an entire squadron on speed dial…

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

CHAMPIONS #2

EVE L. EWING [W] • SIMONE DI MEO (A)

Cover by TONI INFANTE

VARIANT COVER BY MEGHAN HETRICK

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER GARRÓN

• When clashing protests over the teen vigilante ban break out across Chicago, the Champions risk their freedom to protect the young protestors from overzealous C.R.A.D.L.E. agents — but Chicago’s own hometown hero, Ironheart, is nowhere to be seen.

• Where is Riri Williams? Why has she abandoned the Champions? And could it have anything to do with the mole in their ranks…?

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

MAGNIFICENT MS. MARVEL #15

SALADIN AHMED [W]• MINKYU JUNG (A) Cover by EDUARD PETROVICH

• The anti-teen-hero task force, C.R.A.D.L.E., is scouring Jersey City to apprehend its young protector, Ms. Marvel.

• But C.R.A.D.L.E. isn’t the only problem on Kamala’s plate – several of her family members support the new law, and if they discover her secret identity, it’s game over for Ms. Marvel.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

GHOST-SPIDER #10

SEANAN MCGUIRE [W] IG GUARA (A) Cover by TAKESHI MIYAZAWA

Gwen Stacy has served hard time in prison on Earth-65 for her dalliances as the super hero known as GHOST-SPIDER… Will EARTH-616 be next?!

And just what exactly is the Maker up to on Earth-65? And what part does GWENOM play in his schemes?

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

NEW WARRIORS #2 (OF 5)

DANIEL KIBBLESMITH [W] • Luciano Vecchio (A)

COVER BY R.B. SILVA

VARIANT COVER BY TRADD MOORE

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA

FLASHBACK FOES-DAY!

The NEW New Warriors are trapped with the Original Warriors’ first and fiercest foes…PSIONEX! Or are they? Night Thrasher and the OG crew have to save the new kids from certain doom, but another enemy is lurking in the shadows. PLUS: How’d Night Thrasher get the band back together anyhow? From the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space to the Darkforce dimension itself — find out in the latest extreme installment of NEW WARRIORS!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

MILES MORALES: SPIDER–MAN #18

SALADIN AHMED [W] • CARMEN CARNERO (A)

COVER BY JAVIER GARRÓN

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY LEE GARBETT

BABY MORALES VARIANT COVER BY RAHZZAH

• Ganke. Barbara. Judge. Lana. Mr. Sumida. Rio. Jeff.

• Miles knows he has to help people as Spider-Man, so he’s ready to live as an outlaw.

• But is he ready to do it without the support of someone he loves? Who’s with Miles, who’s against him, and who’s side are YOU on?

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

POWER PACK #2 (OF 5)

RYAN NORTH [W] • NICO LEON (A) • Cover by STEFANO CASELLI

Variant cover by DAVID LOPEZ

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY GURIHIRU

THE PACK IN PRISON?!

• Okay, so MAYBE it’s illegal for minors to fight crime in costume, dispensing vigilante justice as they see fit. MAYBE.

• But not if they have a mentor! Then it’s totally fine! So now all the Pack need is an adult willing to let them do whatever they want.

• It’s a voyage (or at least a two-page spread) across the Marvel Universe to find a mentor!

• But what if everything doesn’t go smoothly? What if there’s CONFLICT and EVENTS?

• The Power Pack faces adversity, betrayal and more in this Alex-narrated issue!

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

STRANGE ACADEMY #3

SKOTTIE YOUNG [W] • HUMBERTO RAMOS (A/C)

CHARACTER SPOTLIGHT VARIANT COVER BY TBA

VARIANT COVER BY RYAN OTTLEY

DOYLE DORMAMMU, HEAD OF THE CLASS?

• Anyone who has been to New Orleans knows that it’s a magical place, but the students of STRANGE ACADEMY are about to see it firsthand.

• Their first field trip as a class shows them a city (and the stakes of what they’re living) in ways that light a fuse that is going to blow up in a big way.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

MARVEL ZOMBIES: RESURRECTION #2, #3 & #4 (OF 4)

PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON [W]• LEONARD KIRK (A) CoverS by INHYUK LEE

ISSUE #2 – VARIANT COVER BY GREG LAND

ISSUE #2 – VARIANT COVER BY DAMION SCOTT

ISSUE #2 – VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY INHYUK LEE

ISSUE #3 – VARIANT COVER BY PHILIP TAN

ISSUE #3 – VARIANT COVER BY Leinil Francis Yu

ISSUE #3 – VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY INHYUK LEE

ISSUE #4 – VARIANT COVER BY SKAN

ISSUE #4 – VARIANT COVER BY RICARDO LOPEZ ORTIZ

ISSUE #4 – VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY INHYUK LEE

THE HUNGER GROWS…

The world is overrun with the flesh-eating monsters that used to be the heroes who kept it safe. Spider-Man made a promise to keep people safe, and he’s not going to quit, even in the literal jaws of death…

32 PGS. (each)./Parental Advisory …$3.99 (each)

PUNISHER VS. BARRACUDA #2 (OF 5)

ED BRISSON [W] • DECLAN SHALVEY (A)

Cover by RYAN STEGMAN

Variant Cover by DECLAN SHALVEY

VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER

OOOH, BARRACUDA!

• On the run and out for vengeance, Barracuda finds new henchmen: the white supremacists who tried to kill him. That should go well.

• Punisher is on Barracuda’s trail of carnage, leaving a few bodies of his own in his wake.

• With the Miami mafia looking to kill them both, the bullets are flying fast and furious!

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

WEREWOLF BY NIGHT #2 (OF 4)

TABOO & BENJAMIN JACKENDOFF [W] • SCOT EATON (A)

Cover by Mike McKone

VARIANT COVER BY GERARDO ZAFFINO

NIGHT OF THE CREEPS!

• Jake’s attempt to get to the bottom of his company’s questionable practices leads to an all-out monster brawl!

• As Werewolf by Night gets in over his head, Red Wolf and the law are getting closer!

• With Jake’s entire life in chaos, the only way out may be to fully embrace the secret history of the Werewolf by Night!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

THE MARVELS #1

KURT BUSIEK [W] • YILDIRAY CINAR (A) • Cover by ALEX ROSS

Variant cover by CARLOS PACHECO

Variant cover by STEVE EPTING

VARIANT COVER BY BILL SIENKIEWICZ

ALL-NEW, ONGOING SERIES!

Kurt Busiek (MARVELS, Astro City) is back, with the biggest, wildest, most sprawling series ever to hit the Marvel Universe, telling stories that span the decades and range from cosmic adventure to intense human drama, from the street-level to the cosmic, starring literally anyone from Marvel’s very first heroes to the superstars of tomorrow. This first issue includes an invasion from orbit, a picnic in Prospect Park, super hero sightseeing in Manhattan, the All-Winners Squad in 1947, Reed Richards during his time in military intelligence, cosmic beings beyond space and time— and that’s only for starters. Featuring Captain America, Spider-Man, the Punisher, the Human Torch, Storm, the Black Cat, the Golden Age Vision, Aero, Iron Man and Thor, and introducing two brand-new characters, all beautifully drawn by Yildiray Cinar (X-MEN, Legion of Super-Heroes, IRON MAN) in the opening act of a thriller that’ll take us across the Marvel Universe…and beyond. Plus: Who (or what) is KSHOOM? It all starts here. And it goes…everywhere.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

MARVELS X #5 (of 6)

ALEX ROSS & JIM KRUEGER [W] • WELL–BEE (A) • Cover by ALEX ROSS

Variant Cover by WELL–BEE

Finding a cure for whatever it is that turned all of humanity into monsters proves almost impossible for even Reed Richards, Bruce Banner, Tony Stark and the greatest minds in the Marvel Universe. The fact that no one wants to be cured leads to a revolt against the heroes themselves. Alex Ross, Jim Krueger and Well-Bee continue their invincible prequel to the EARTH X trilogy.

40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

MARVEL #3 (of 6)

ALEX ROSS, STEVE DARNALL, ALAN WEISS, BILL SIENKIEWICZ, SCOTT GUSTAFSON, RYAN HESHKA [W]

ALEX ROSS, ALAN WEISS, BILL SIENKIEWICZ, SCOTT GUSTAFSON, RYAN HESHKA (A)

Cover by ALEX ROSS

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

A quartet of visions of life throughout the Marvel Universe, curated by Alex Ross! Alan Weiss presents a lost tale of Namor the Sub-Mariner! The techno-organic Warlock lives again in a story by Bill Sienkiewicz! Scott Gustafson presents a look into the life of Rocket Raccoon! And the Golden Age Black Widow chooses a mate in a story by Ryan Heshka! All wrapped in an epic ongoing adventure by Alex Ross and Steve Darnall!

40 PGS./Rated T …$4.99

AVENGERS: MARVELS SNAPSHOT #1

BARBARA RANDALL KESEL with KURT BUSIEK [W]• STAZ JOHNSON (A) • Cover by ALEX ROSS

VARIANT COVER BY Staz Johnson

HIDDEN GEM VARIANT COVER BY GEORGE PEREZ

The Marvel Snapshot tour through Marvel history takes a romantic — and destructive — turn during the Michelinie/Byrne/Pérez Avengers era! Take one rookie cop, add one new-to-the-city emergency medical technician, and make their meet-cute a devastating battle between the Avengers and a giant, rampaging robot! What comes next? Only Barbara Randall Kesel (Hawk & Dove, Ultragirl) and Staz Johnson (New X-Men, Robin) can tell you. Featuring Iron Man, the Beast, Wonder Man, Count Nefaria and more.

40 PGS./One–Shot/Rated T+ …$4.99

SPIDER-MAN: MARVELS SNAPSHOT #1

HOWARD CHAYKIN with KURT BUSIEK [W] • HOWARD CHAYKIN (A) • Cover by ALEX ROSS

VARIANT COVER BY Howard Chaykin

HIDDEN GEM VARIANT COVER BY LARRY LIEBER

Let’s say you’re a lowlife criminal in Manhattan, just trying to get by in a world that’s recently gotten full of spider-men, daredevils, power men and more, and you just want to make a decent illegal living. Plenty of henchman work available, if you don’t mind ending up in traction. And oh yeah, there’s a brewing super villain gang war building. What do you do? Keep your head low or go for the big win? Superstar storyteller Howard Chaykin (American Flagg, Wolverine) takes you through Marvel’s mean streets. Just watch out for Spider-Man, Cloak & Dagger and more.

40 PGS./One–Shot/Rated T+ …$4.99

2020 iWolverine #1 (OF 2)

LARRY HAMA [W] ROLAND BOSCHI (A) Cover by Juan JOSÉ Ryp

Variant cover by Mike Henderson

• In the wake of Arno Stark’s crusade against A.I.s, no robot is safe.

• Fearing of Elsie Dee’s safety in these tumultuous times, Albert, the robot Wolverine, goes to Madripoor to find her…

• …but what he finds is a fight against Madripoor’s criminal underbelly instead!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

2020 IRONHEART #2 (of 2)

Vita Ayala & Danny Lore [W] David Messina (A) Cover by WOO-CHUL LEE

Variant Cover by SKAN

• It’s Riri Williams vs. Ironheart as Riri’s trusty A.I. companion seizes control of her armor!

• Can Riri get through to N.A.T.A.L.I.E. in time to stop her from making a terrible mistake? Or is Riri about to lose one of her only friends?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

IRON MAN 2020 #5 (OF 6)

DAN SLOTT & CHRISTOS GAGE [W] • PETE WOODS (A)

5th Color Fluorescent Ink Cover by PETE WOODS

VARIANT COVER BY MICO SUAYAN

Connecting Variant Cover by SIMONE BIANCHI

Variant Cover by RON LIM

Heads Variant Cover by SUPERLOG

Tony Stark is back! But is this the REAL Tony? How is that possible?! Where did that all-new armor come from?! WHAT’S GOING ON?!

There’s no time to explain, human. Just know this: It’s STARK VS. STARK ROUND 2, as Tony takes on Arno…in SPACE!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

SPIDER-MAN NOIR #3 (of 5)

MARGARET STOHL [W] • JUAN FERREYRA (A) • Cover by DAVE RAPOZA

VARIANT COVER BY PATRICK O’KEEFE

THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES!

• A murder investigation may have led Spider-Man a thousand miles from home, but DANGER is close behind!

• And as the specter of war looms in Europe, a dangerous operative shrouded in mystery has designs of his own, with ELECTRO leading the charge!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

SPIDER-WOMAN #3

KARLA PACHECO [W] • PERE PéREZ (A)

Cover by JUNGGEUN YOON

VILLAIN Variant Cover by DAVID NAKAYAMA

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY KRIS ANKA

DINO-MIGHT!

• With another all-out attack on her client, Spider-Woman is really beginning to regret taking this gig.

• As the tables turn yet again, a quick escape leads to the last place on Earth Jess wants to be.

• The shocking return of someone from Jess’s past ups the ante and throws Spider-Woman’s life into chaos!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #45

NICK SPENCER [W] • Mark Bagley (A)

Cover by JOSEMARIA CASANOVAS

Variant Cover by MARK BAGLEY

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY DOALY

“SINS RISING” PART 1!

• SIN-EATER is back and New York City is in TROUBLE.

• Who will the shotgun-toting villain target, and can Spider-Man stand a chance against him?

40 PGS./Rated T …$4.99

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #46

NICK SPENCER [W]• Marcelo Ferreira (A)

Cover by JOSEMARIA CASANOVAS

Variant Cover by MARK BAGLEY

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY MIRKA ANDOLFO

“SINS RISING” PART 2!

• The Lethal Legion returns to threaten the Big Apple , and only the Sin Eater can save us?

• How can Spider-Man stop the murderous vigilante and… should he?

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

AMAZING MARY JANE #8

Leah Williams [W] • CARLOS GÓMEZ (A) • COVER BY PAULO SIQUEIRA

THE REDHEAD WITH NO NAME!

• Mary Jane’s homecoming is cut short when she’s the sole witness to a crime, and the suspect is known for eliminating witnesses!

• It’s up to MJ to bring this killer to justice, but she’s got to stay alive long enough to do it!

• She’s headed someplace where no one knows her face or name. She’ll have to watch her own back when trouble comes calling…

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

GWEN STACY #4 (of 5)

CHRISTOS GAGE [W] • TODD NAUCK (A) • Cover by MIGUEL MERCADO

VARIANT COVER BY PEACH MOMOKO

• It’s Friday Night Lights time as Standard High takes on Flash Thompson and the Midtown Tigers!

• Gwen is there to cheer on her boyfriend against Flash, but no one was expecting the Green Goblin to crash the event. And Spider-Man is nowhere to be seen.

• It’s down to the strangest super heroes of all to save Gwen and friends!

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

RAVENCROFT #5 (OF 5)

FRANK TIERI [W] • ANGEL UNZUETA (A)

Cover by KYLE HOTZ

VARIANT COVER BY ANGEL UNZUETA

• It was bound to happen — the gates are off the hinges as everything bursts to the surface!

• What lies in store for the future of Ravencroft?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: THE DAILY BUGLE #5 (OF 5)

MAT JOHNSON [W] • MACK CHATER (A)

COVER BY NIKO HENRICHON

• Dateline: May 2020. There’s no other way to say it: Chloe Robertson and Ben Urich have been investigating Spider-Man as a possible suspect in multiple murders.

• But as they finally get to the bottom of a tangle of impostors and dead leads, they’ll find themselves back at the top.

• Does any man become a leader – of a business empire, of a newspaper – with clean hands?

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

VENOM #26

DONNY CATES [W] • IBAN COELLO (A) • Cover by RYAN STEGMAN

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA

“VENOM BEYOND” BEGINS HERE!

If you thought VENOM ISLAND was insane comic book action of the highest order, then shut your yapper and face front, True Believer, because we’re about to outdo ourselves!

For months, the Maker has been fascinated with symbiotes. IN THIS ISSUE we find out why – and what he intends to do with any he can get his hands on…

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #101 FACSIMILE EDITION

Written by ROY THOMAS • Penciled by GIL KANE

Cover by GIL KANE

The dramatic debut of Morbius the Living Vampire! Dr. Michael Morbius has a lust for blood, and he’s out to sink his fangs into Spider-Man! But the wallcrawler is even more spiderlike than usual — because, in an effort to “cure” himself of his spider-powers, he’s ended up with four extra limbs! Peter must seek out Curt Connors, the Lizard, to return himself to normal — but little does Spidey know that he’s on a collision course with Morbius that will put him in the crosshairs of not one, but two monsters! Witness the beginning of a rivalry for the ages between webslinger and bloodsucker, in the issue that began the tragic tale of the misunderstood Michael Morbius! It’s one of the all-time great Marvel comic books, boldly re-presented in its original form, ads and all! Reprinting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1963) #101.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

MORBIUS #7

Vita Ayala [W]• Marcelo Ferreira (A) • Cover by SKAN

• Morbius is on the trail of mayhem…but a certain vampire hunter seems to be following the same clues.

• What happens when BLADE comes face-to-face with the monster that is MORBIUS?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN: THE BLACK CAT STRIKES #5 (OF 5)

DENNIS “HOPELESS” HALLUM [W] • LUCA MARESCA (A) • Cover by SANA TAKEDA

VARIANT COVER BY INHYUK LEE

BLACK CAT’S FINAL REVENGE!

• The truth behind the BLACK CAT’S plan leads to one last ditch effort against HAMMERHEAD!

• But will SPIDER-MAN stand triumphant…or act as a pawn in the greater scheme?

• MARY JANE and PETER find a resolution as we march toward the next act of the GAMERVERSE saga!

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

BLACK CAT #12

JED MACKAY [W]• Carlos Villa (A) • Cover by J. SCOTT CAMPBELL

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY BENGAL

• Well, she did it this time. Black Cat stole an Iron Man armor from Iron Man, and he is NOT pleased.

• So she is on the run (fly, really) from Iron Man through Manhattan but also still on the run from the Thieves Guild. So it’s tough being Felicia Hardy right now.

• And it’s possible the armor wasn’t what she was stealing from Iron Man. Uh-oh.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

SCREAM: CURSE OF CARNAGE #7

CLAY MCLEOD CHAPMAN [W] • GARRY BROWN (A) • COVER BY GERARDO SANDOVAL

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

ENTER: DEMAGOBLIN !

Something wicked this way comes as SCREAM discovers that the city’s homeless children are being kidnapped.

But things take a violent and unexpected turn when people start turning up gruesomely murdered, and all signs point to DEMAGOBLIN as the culprit. Meanwhile, the dragnet is closing around Andi Benton, as the police get ever closer to learning the truth about her symbiotic second life…

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

THOR #6

DONNY CATES [W]• NIC KLEIN (A) • Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL

Variant Cover by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY SKAN

SPOILER VARIANT COVER BY STEVE SKROCE

THE DEATH OF KING THOR!

The Black Winter has the power to reveal the means of any person’s demise — and if the vision is true, Asgard is going to need a new Odinson to take the throne! But Thor is no mere herald or king — and even the death of all existence should fear his coming wrath.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

SAVAGE AVENGERS #13

GERRY DUGGAN [W]• Patch Zircher (A) • Cover by VALERIO GIANGIORDANO

The Savage Avengers assemble! Wolverine, Conan, Dr. Strange, Elektra, Black Widow, Hellstrom, Voodoo, Magik…and more. The heroes draw up a battle plan against Kulan Gath, and you’ll be thrilled as Conan wields a most unexpected weapon in the fight against darkness.

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

GHOST RIDER #8

ED BRISSON [W] • JUAN FRIGERI (A) COVER BY AARON KUDER

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY DECLAN SHALVEY

ENTER THE CITY OF THE DAMNED!

In a place beyond good and evil, Ghost Rider and Mephisto find a secret society of supernatural beings–and they aren’t fond of visitors!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

MARVEL TALES: HELLSTROM #1

GARY FRIEDRICH, JOHN WARNER & WARREN ELLIS [W]

TOM SUTTON, JIM MOONEY

& LEONARDO MANCO (A)

Cover by INHYUK LEE

VIRGIN VARIANT Cover by INHYUK LEE

Daimon Hellstrom, the Son of Satan himself, demonstrates his devilish charm as we celebrate the legacy of the House of Ideas with the era-spanning MARVEL TALES! This anthology series shines a spotlight on fan-favorite characters, features timeless stories and highlights some of our most impressive talent from the past eight decades. First, Daimon makes his scene-stealing debut as an exorcist in GHOST RIDER (1973) #1! Then he claims a series of his own with SON OF SATAN #1 — and steps through a portal to hell for an unhappy family reunion with his diabolical father! And, in HELLSTROM: PRINCE OF LIES #12, Daimon digs into the darkest and most disturbing corners of the Marvel Universe, courtesy of one hell of a creative team — Warren Ellis and Leonardo Manco!

88 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$7.99

WEREWOLF BY NIGHT #32 FACSIMILE EDITION

Written by DOUG MOENCH

Penciled by DON PERLIN

Cover by GIL KANE

Moon Knight makes his unforgettable first appearance — stalking Jack Russell, the Werewolf by Night! Clad from head to toe in silver and wielding crescent-shaped blades, the soldier of fortune named Marc Spector is a lycanthrope’s worst nightmare. But why is he after this particular prey — and can Jack possibly survive their first savage battle? Moon Knight, earthly avatar of the Egyptian god Khonshu, went on to become a fan-favorite character and a man of many talents — mercenary, millionaire, vigilante, Avenger, even cab driver — but wide-eyed fans first got to meet him as a werewolf hunter in this classic tale! It’s one of the all-time great Marvel comic books, boldly re-presented in its original form, ads and all! Reprinting WEREWOLF BY NIGHT (1972) #32.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

AVENGERS #34

JASON AARON [W] • JAVIER GARRÓN (A) • Cover by MATTEO SCALERA

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA

THE AGE OF KHONSHU!

An empowered, godlike Moon Knight has just saved the world from fiery ruin. Now an army of mummies and moon priests begins to reshape the world in the image of ancient Egypt. But where does that leave the Avengers? Broken, imprisoned, or on the run in the moonlit streets of New Thebes City.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

IMMORTAL HULK #35

AL EWING [W] • MIKE HAWTHORNE (A) • Cover by ALEX ROSS

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA

• The war with the Minotaur is over — and a grateful humanity knows who saved them all.

• Can Shadow Base come out of the shadows? Can the world believe in Bruce Banner?

• Can there be a happy ending… for the IMMORTAL HULK?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

IMMORTAL HULK #36

AL EWING [W]• JOE BENNETT (A) • Cover by ALEX ROSS

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA

• NO HAPPY ENDINGS.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

CAPTAIN AMERICA #22

TA-NEHISI COATES [W] • BOB QUINN (A) • Cover by ALEX ROSS

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY PATCH ZIRCHER

”All Die Young” continues! For Peggy Carter to live again, must Sharon Carter pay the price?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

DR. STRANGE #6

MARK WAID [W] • KEV WALKER (A) • Cover by PHIL NOTO

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY DAVE JOHNSON

• Doctor Strange is hot on the trail of the magical thief infiltrating the Sanctum Machina!

• But as his investigation leads him deeper into a magical black arms-dealing market, the danger of being discovered mounts higher and higher…

• …and what he discovers will leave him reeling!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

HAWKEYE: FREEFALL #6

MATTHEW ROSENBERG [W] OTTO SCHMIDT (A) Cover by KIM JACINTO

• Bullseye wants to hurt Clint in any way he can, so he’s playing dress-up and taking the archer’s (not-so) good name on a deadly tour of New York.

• Meanwhile, the Hood has had enough of Clint’s games and decides to put an end to them once and for all. He puts a price on Clint’s head so high that every villain, merc and thug in the city is going to line up to take a shot.

• With everything falling apart, Clint will be forced to make some choices he can’t take back. Will he find a way to get through this with clean hands, or will he be forced to return to his criminal ways?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

FALCON & WINTER SOLDIER #4 (of 5)

DEREK LANDY [W] FEDERICO VINCENTINI (A) Cover by DAN MORA

VARIANT COVER BY Takashi Okazaki

With the Natural by their side, Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes travel to confront the woman who is scheming to become the new Hydra Supreme. Nothing seems to go right for our boys, however, as the plane they’re about to jump out of is beset by a swarm of Hydra agents.

On jetpacks.

Shooting laser beams.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

BLACK PANTHER #24

TA-NEHISI COATES [W] • DANIEL ACUÑA (A/C)

VARIANT COVER BY JOE QUINONES

THE INTERGALACTIC EMPIRE OF WAKANDA – “WAKANDA UNBOUND” Part 6

The Intergalactic Empire has suffered thousands of losses – and still they’re coming for Earth. Wakanda Prime is in more danger than ever as Emperor N’Jadaka – A.K.A. the resurrected Killmonger, one of the Black Panther’s deadliest enemies — returns to face the king who unintentionally brought him to power.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

NEBULA #4 (OF 5)

VITA AYALA [W] • CLAIRE ROE (A) Cover by JEN BARTEL

Variant by Alex Garner

• Thrown into a gladiatorial arena, Nebula must fight for her life!

• And as Nebula’s memories of her childhood begin returning to her…she may not like what she finds…

• Plus, the very first meeting between Nebula and Thanos revealed!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

ATLANTIS ATTACKS #5 (of 5)

GREG PAK [W] • ARIO ANINDITO (A)

COVER BY ARIO ANINDITO

Variant by CARLO PAGULAYAN

TRAGEDY AND TRIUMPH!

• As the clash between the ATLANTEANS, the SIRENAS and the interdimensional PAN reaches its terrible climax, an empire will triumph and an empire will fall!

• But you might be shocked to find out which of our heroes and villains ends up where! Will AMADEUS step up to JIMMY WOO’S challenge and lead both AGENTS OF ATLAS teams toward power and glory in this new world? Or will the dream of communities united in the PORTAL CITY OF PAN all come crashing down?

• Who will wear the crown? Whose word and heart will break? The fate of Atlas and the world hangs in the balance!

32 PGS./Rated T+…$3.99

DOCTOR DOOM #8

CHRISTOPHER CANTWELL [W] • SALVADOR LARROCA (A/C)

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY RYAN BROWN

After regaining his throne, Doctor Doom presses his advantage and invades Symkaria with the intent to conquer and annex the entire nation. And with the Ultimate Nullifier in hand, he’s able to keep the entire world at bay while he declares total war on the country that tried to overthrow him. Once the dust settles, he realizes he’s humanity’s last hope for preventing an unstable black hole from annihilating all of Earth…

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

AVENGERS OF THE WASTELANDS #5 (of 5)

ED BRISSON [W] • JONAS SCHARF (A)

Cover by JUAN JOSé RYP

Variant Cover by Todd Nauck

THE FINAL SHOWDOWN ON DOOM’S DOORSTEP!

• The so-called AVENGERS make their stand.

• The scheme of DR. DOOM is revealed.

• The final betrayal.

• The fate of the Wastelands is determined here!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

RUNAWAYS #33

RAINBOW ROWELL [W] NATACHA BUSTOS (A) Cover by KRIS ANKA

• The Runaways descend into one of the most terrifying Marvel Universe locations ever: HIGH SCHOOL!

• It goes better for some than others.

• For those who don’t think high school is an authentic Marvel Universe location, you WILL agree that who shows up at the end is a VERY authentic Marvel guest star!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #5

AL EWING [W] • Juann Cabal (A) • Cover by IVAN SHAVRIN

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY ALEX GARNER

• Moondragon is a hero. With her wife at her side, she came to our reality from a dimension of heroes – to save us all from evil.

• But our reality already had a Moondragon, and she can’t be a hero all the time. The DRAGON OF THE MOON has returned…

• …and it won’t leave until it’s fed on a soul.

• Didn’t we say it could always get worse?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

STRIKEFORCE #9

TINI HOWARD [W] • GERMÁN PERALTA (A)

COVER BY JUAN JOSÉ RYP

BATTLE ROYALE ON MONSTER ISLE!

It’s a death match of no-holds-barred sports entertainment — at the center of King Deadpool’s Monster Island! Strikeforce finds themselves divided between their mission to contain the dangerous Vridai and the sweet, sweet taste of competitive victory. Can this team of misfits stay together long enough to complete their mission?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

ANT-MAN #5 (OF 5)

ZEB WELLS [W] • DYLAN BURNETT (A)

Cover by EDUARD PETROVICH

• Macrothrax marches on the mainland!

• Ant-Man and Stinger make their stand as the continent’s first and last line of defense!

• Don’t miss out as this heroic father-daughter duo face extermination in this explosive series finale!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

STAR #5 (of 5)

KELLY THOMPSON [W] • JAVIER PINA & FILIPE ANDRADE (A)

Cover by CARMEN CARNERO

Variant Cover by PHIL NOTO

FORESHADOW Variant Cover by KRIS ANKA

THE BLACK ORDER MAKES THEIR MOVE!

The former generals of Thanos have come for the reality stone. But thanks to everything Star has been through, she’s learned a lot about the power bonded to her. The Black Order expects to find a novice but instead will find a dragon. And no matter who wins this fight, one thing is for sure: The Marvel Universe is about to be a much more dangerous place…for everyone.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

DAREDEVIL ANNUAL #1

CHIP ZDARSKY [W] • CHRIS SPROUSE (A) • Cover by CHIP ZDARSKY

VARIANT COVER BY DECLAN SHALVEY

ONE MORE DAY!

40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99

DAREDEVIL #21

CHIP ZDARSKY [W]• MARCO CHECCHETTO (A/C)

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA

BACK IN RED! ”TRUTH/DARE” STARTS HERE!

THE BATTLE MAY BE OVER, but the WAR is far from finished! After the shocking events of DAREDEVIL #20, CHIP ZDARSKY reunites with MARCO CHECCHETTO to begin the next chapter of their definitive DAREDEVIL saga: HELL AND BACK.

For weeks, Hell’s Kitchen has been a lawless neighborhood thanks to the Stromwyn siblings, but as the police are finally able to resume their patrols, they’re quick to find that they aren’t the only ones interested in keeping the Kitchen safe.

Meanwhile, as Matt Murdock continues to struggle with how best to appease his sense of justice after the events of the past several weeks, a familiar enemy takes root in Hell’s Kitchen…

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

AERO #11

ZHOU LIEFEN & AMY CHU [W] KENG (A/C)

THE TEAM-UP YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR: AERO AND IRON MAN!

• AERO’S powers are put to the test! Can the legendary IRON MAN teach Aero the meaning of teamwork?

• Will they save SHANGHAI, or are they just falling into MADAME HUANG’S trap?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

SWORD MASTER #11

SHUIZHU & AMY CHU [W] GUNJI (A/C)

WILL DESTINY LEAD

TO DESTRUCTION?!

• SWORD MASTER LIN LIE meets the powerful chief of the Nü-Wa Clan…JI SHUANGSHUANG’S grandmother!

• And Granny reveals the TRUTH about CHIYOU’S TOMB and Lin Lie’s bloodline.

• Will Lin Lie be strong enough to defeat a vengeful GOD OF WAR?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

DEADPOOL #7

KELLY THOMPSON [W] • GERARDO SANDOVAL (A) • Cover by CHRIS BACHALO

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TONY DANIEL

IT’S A LOVE STORY, DEADPOOL, JUST SAY YES!

• Elsa Bloodstone is dying, and the only one who can save her is Deadpool!

• What’s wrong with the mystical, magical Bloodstone gem? And what can Deadpool possibly do about it?

• The answers will shock you! The implications will astound you! The jokes will…well, we won’t make any promises about the jokes.

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

VALKYRIE: JANE FOSTER #11

JASON AARON & TORUNN GRØNBEKK [W]• MATTIA DE IULIS (A)

Cover by MAHMUD ASRAR

FORESHADOW VARIANT COVER BY MATTIA DE IULIS

She’s faced the Marvel Universe’s deadliest assassin — armed with the sword of a god — and won. She took the Grim Reaper straight to his eternal reward. She’s come face-to-face with Death herself…in more ways than one…and saved Asgard from a force beyond even Death’s powers. Now Jane Foster — the one and only Valkyrie — embarks on a whole new adventure under the pen of rising star artist Mattia de Iulis! Already Valkyrie has journeyed across the Multiverse in her new role…but now Hel awaits her. Along with its prickly rulers. And what does Loki, god of lies, have to do with it? An all-new arc starts here!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

HOW TO READ COMICS THE MARVEL WAY #2 (of 4)

CHRISTOPHER HASTINGS [W] • SCOTT KOBLISH (A) • COVER BY DAVID NAKAYAMA

VARIANT COVER BY AARON KUDER

• Mysterio is in the wind. Good thing Spider-Man has an ally (you/your comics novice friends) who can now follow him from panel to panel…

• But he’s still his own worst enemy: One thoughtless action froze citizens all over the city in time, and Spidey…needs to make a comic to free them?

• Do you know the lingo for talking about what makes a comic well-made? Learn it here! And see if Spider-Man can save his loved ones before Quentin Beck becomes omnipotent!

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #16

JIM ZUB [W]• ROGÊ ANTÔNIO (A) • Cover by E.M. GIST

Variant cover by Cary Nord

THE REVENGE OF CONAN!

• The true nature of the Great Crucible is revealed!

• CONAN has angered the leadership of Uttara Kuru, but he will not be crushed by their punishment so easily!

• The dramatic conclusion to “Into the Crucible” and the start of Conan’s next quest!

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

CONAN: BATTLE FOR THE SERPENT CROWN #4 (OF 5)

SALADIN AHMED [W] • LUKE ROSS (A) • Cover by Mahmud Asrar

VARIANT COVER BY Eduard Petrovich

VARIANT COVER BY Philip Tan

IN TOO DEEP!

• The SERPENT CROWN’s roots in the Pre-Cataclysmic Age lead CONAN back to where it all started…

• …but ATLANTIS is not quite what it once was.

• And even if he can locate the Crown, NAMOR isn’t going to let that treasure slip through his grasp!

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

DARK AGNES #4 (OF 5)

BECKY CLOONAN [W] • LUCA PIZZARI (A) • Cover by STEPHANIE HANS

KILLER IN THE CATACOMBS!

• ETIENNE has been framed for murder, but DARK AGNES is determined to prove his innocence.

• And with the real killer on the loose, everyone is a suspect!

• But if the DUKE D’ALENCON returns before the killer is caught, more blood will spill—including Etienne’s!

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA #3

ALYSSA WONG [W]• MARIKA CRESTA (A) Cover by VALENTINA REMENAR

VARIANT COVER BY MAHMUD ASRAR

THE TRIALS OF VAALE!

• Separated from her crew, DOCTOR APHRA finds herself in peril at the hands of RONEN TAGGE’S mercenaries!

• Could there be a traitor in their midst?

• And can Aphra outwit them before the curse of the city swallows her and her new team whole?

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

STAR WARS #6

CHARLES SOULE [W] • JESÚS SAIZ (A) • Cover by R.B. SILVA

Empire Strikes Back Variant COVER by CHRIS SPROUSE

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

THE PATH TO JEDI WISDOM…OR A DEADLY TRAP OF THE DARK SIDE?

• THE FORCE led LUKE SKYWALKER to someone who can provide him with great insight into the path to JEDI wisdom…

• But their meeting will change Skywalker FOREVER. Luke thought his duel against his father, Darth Vader, was the ultimate test. But Luke’s trials have only just begun.

• The galaxy needs Luke Skywalker. And a Jedi needs a weapon!

• Meanwhile, Vader continues his search for his long-lost son, and the REBEL ALLIANCE finds itself on the verge of a losing all hope.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

STAR WARS: DARTH VADER #4

GREG PAK [W]• RAFFAELE IENCO (A) • Cover By Inhyuk Lee

Empire Strikes Back Variant COVER by CHRIS SPROUSE

WHO HUNTS THE HUNTER?

• DARTH VADER continues his terrifying quest for vengeance against everyone who hid the existence of his son from him.

• But on NABOO, the DARK LORD OF THE SITH faces a deadly new challenge as his focus turns from LUKE to PADMÉ, the wife of the man Vader used to be.

• And what secrets lie in the tomb of PADMÉ AMIDALA?

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

STAR WARS: BOUNTY HUNTERS #4

ETHAN SACKS [W]• PAOLO VILLANELLI (A) Cover by LEE BERMEJO

Empire Strikes Back Variant COVER by CHRIS SPROUSE

THE SINS THAT CAN’T BE ABSOLVED!

• With a blaster aimed at this back, cyborg bounty hunter VALANCE closes in on NAKANO LASH, the mentor who abandoned him many years ago.

• But what is the secret that Lash has been hiding ever since that fateful, doomed mission — one that led her to betray her entire crew?

• Those answers may die with her if a vengeful BOBA FETT gets to her first.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

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May 2020 Marvel Comic Solicits EMPYRE: X-MEN #1 & #2 (OF 4) Issue #1 - JONATHAN HICKMAN & TINI HOWARD [W]

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fyrapartnersearch · 4 years

Text

Calling for dedicated roleplayers with a passion for writing

Hello! My name is Aaliyah or Ally for short, and I will cut right to the chase. I am looking for a mature role-player, preferably 21+ but will also accept 18+ (just to be sure that you are of legal age, otherwise it’ll be very uncomfortable).

  As I am 26 years of age with 12 years of experience, I hope to meet someone who shares my passion in creative writing, as well as formulating interesting plots and characters.   In case you are curious about me as a person, I am a full-time student and a young writer who works at the gym on the side, but also enjoys other creative outlets such as drawing. Usually my schedule is fairly full, including the attendance of friends or family. However I always have ample time for a good roleplay. :)   

I am seeking a literate writer who is committed to a long-term partnership, and by that I truly mean it. Please do not respond if you are uncertain of upholding a stable roleplay. Furthermore, I’ve noticed the “ghosting after the first few messages“ trope is a fairly widespread issue in the roleplaying scene / community. I would like to implore you from refraining it. I’ve grown quite irritated by it lately and rather like to avoid it in the near future. That way we don’t waste anyone’s time. Thank you in advance. If you are hitting a hiatus, that’s completely fine! A simple message of putting things on hold is completely sufficient, but I would like to keep in touch in case the story bears great potential. Now I have a wish, or as other say it, a certain craving for something new and fresh. And that something is quite specific, as my interests are a little unorthodox. Not the typical ‘Marvel, DC, My Hero Academia, etc’ type of stick. (Not to throw shade on them! They are great! Just not my cup of tea at the moment)

 I heavily enjoy video-games, tv-shows, comics, films, books, the list goes on. Hopefully I can attract some kindred spirits.   I do roleplay both Canon and Original!

  So if there’s no luck in finding a fitting Canon based story, we can always switch to original world building. First, I like to list all of my heavy cravings and interests. The ones marked in bold are usually the ones I am very willing to do.

  Books:

Harry Potter Next Gen (original character cast)

True Blood

Vampire Hunter D (or Manga / Anime)

Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice

Game of Thrones

Videogames:

Dragon Age (from Origins to current instalment)

Castlevania

Devil May Cry

Infamous series

The Darkness

Smite

Star Wars the Old Republic

 Webcomics:

Lore Olympus

Lookism

True Beauty

Comics:

Constantine

Hellboy

Witchblade

The Darkness

X-Men

Films:

Alita Battle Angel

Kingsmen

Vampire Hunter D

TV-Shows live action:

True Blood

The Boys

Vikings

Game of Thrones (Open for discussion. Still haven’t recovered from the season finale however…)

TV-Shows animated:

Hellsing

Castlevania (Netflix adaptation)

Devil May Cry (Anime adaptation)

Demon Slayer (I have only started watching this)

FMA Brotherhood

Jojo’s bizarre adventure

Black lagoon

As for original plots, I am very keen on urban and gothic fantasy, but also mythology as well as horror and crime and action. I have plenty of ideas up my sleeve, some of them quite fleshed out and some of them being concepts in the making. Either way, I would rather have these ideas introduced throughout email or whatever platform we choose to communicate on. Themes for an original story I am most inclined to do are:

Supernatural / Metaphysical (Demons, Angels, Spirits, Monsters, etc.)

Mystery

Crime

Action

Sci-Fi & fantasy (Aliens coming in contact with unsuspecting earthlings during the middle ages / ancient time-periods)

Urban fantasy mixed with high school / college themes (similar to Supernatural with local monsters, creatures, etc)

Now onto the qualities of what my roleplaying partner should have.

What it all entails: What the Partnership should be: I strongly encourage an active roleplayer who is not afraid of sharing 50% of ideas, plotting, length, detail but most important of all, passion. A bird cannot fly with only one wing. Communication: I love making new friends and brainstorming, and communication is the bedrock of it all. It strengthens our compatibility and the story. Should there be anything that might bother you, or if you think you are left out in some type of way (be it a mistake on my part or if we’re both at fault here), simply tell me. It really doesn’t bother me rewriting certain scenes to better fit the narrative. We can always exchange opinions and see what would benefit the story most. The Way of Writing: No one-liners. No text-talk. No half-assed replies. And certainly no ‘quality over quantity’ when you can have both. I don’t expect anyone to write a novel, absolutely not. I don’t either, but if I get the feeling of my partner wavering in their effort and not investing as much as I do, I have to give them the chop, unfortunately. Too often have I encountered partners who showed strong enthusiasm at first, but after a while… they slacked and eventually only put the adequate effort into their side of things whilst completely disregarding my characters. I hope to avoid this in the future. And now to myself and how I write: My writing: Third person perspective usually, although I have made some exceptions in my years of writing. My style is wide-ranging and flexible, which means that frequently, word count will go up 1000+ per reply - though it also depends on the given situation and partner. And yes, I do double, preferably even, most likely in a canon universe. However this again wholly depends on the type of story, partner and cast of characters. I am very open and willing to discuss.

 Rating: So you are writing with some of mature age. I have 12 years of writing under my belt. There will be violence, there will be swearing, gore, intimacy, uncomfortable topics, drama, conflict and other dark themes included when you are writing with me. I have few limits but I will respect the boundaries of my partner. And lastly, I won’t fade to black or skip out on the nitty gritty, unless it doesn’t serve a particular purpose in forwarding the story.

Characters: I write canon as well as OC characters. Faceclaims, GIFs, drawings, mood boards or just a plain physical description is absolutely sufficient. Characters should be written as opulent, flawed, unique, talented, heroic, villainous, spiteful, angry, and everything in-between. In other words, don’t be scared of making them flawed.

Romance: Openly play and accept characters of both genders, preferable m x f pairings, but I am open to m x m and f x f relationships as well. I have more experience with m x f relationships, so I might be more adaptable with this one. If the chemistry of two characters compel me, I’m on board with it! When it comes to sexual scenarios and intimacy (intercourse, foreplay, all that funny business). I encourage eroticism, but always in a tasteful, sensual manner (that goes for romance as well), though it is never the main focus of any of my stories, rather a tool to further the plot. Erotica is welcome but never the focus of any kind of roleplay. Content: Drama, violence, sex, metamorphosis, symbolism, action, romance, pretty much everything is a-okay. I am not explicitly bothered by certain subjects that may be uncomfortable for the general public. Roleplays are fictional stories and we best keep treating them as such. If there are things you are uncomfortable with, name them and I shall respect those boundaries. But don’t be surprised when suddenly one of our characters bites the dust, or gets tortured, etc. It may be difficult to write and read, but it is all part of the story and a tool for furthering the plot. My roleplays imply and involve brutality, mayhem, psychological and physical altercations among other things. But I also endorse beauty, serenity and placid moments for our characters to grow in. I love it when it comes full circle… everyone- and everything has a beautiful and hideous side. Again, this is mature and I am not here to coddle, I am here for a challenge. Should I hit a hiatus myself, I will inform you as soon as possible. :)  

Platforms I usually roleplay on are email and google-docs. I also have Discord in case for plotting and chatting outside of the RP. Though Google Hangouts has proven itself as a sufficient chat-medium for such things, so I rather stay with that one.   

When you message me, please use the given codenames so I know what you like to specify in.

Blue Rose: Canon  

Red Feather: Original  

  I’d be happy to receive a small description of yourself and what your passions are! :) Message me here: EMAIL: [email protected] I am very excited to hear from you! Sincerely yours -Ally

#indie rp #indie roleplay #independent roleplay #oc rp #multiple paragraph #para #long term #email #tumblr #harry potter rp #spn rp #aou rp #submission

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shadoninja · 4 years

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Shadoninja’s Year in Review (2015)

Piano

Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth - Court ~ Guardians of the Law

Pokémon Trading Card Game - Fire, Fighting, and Science Clubs

Rune Factory 3: A Fantasy Harvest Moon - Fall

Pokémon Colosseum - Pyrite Town

Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis - Mushroom Mayhem

Kirby’s Epic Yarn - Snow Land

Dai Gyakuten Saiban - The Great Cross-Examination ~ Moderato 2015

Valkyria Chronicles II - Return Battle

Fire Emblem: Awakening - Main Theme (Summer)

Fire Emblem: Awakening - Agh! Won goph in mah mouph! Blech! Ptooey!

Mega Man Battle Network 4 - Heel’s Paradise

Steven Universe - ARCADE MANIA - Funland Arcade

Mega Man Battle Chip Challenge - PET Configuration

Pokémon Trading Card Game - Grass & Lightning Clubs

Mega Man’s Soccer - Elec Man

Kirby Super Star - Marshmallow Castle

Mother - Pollyanna

Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes - Swamp Stage

Mutant Mudds Deluxe - Grannie 2

Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness - Pokéspot

UNDERTALE - Ghost Fight

Kirby’s Dream Course - The First Hole

Yoshi’s Woolly World - Bounceabout Woods

Mega Man X3 - Opening Stage

Pokémon Trading Card Game - Grand Master Duel

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars - Rose Town

Yoshi’s Woolly World - Across the Fluttering Dunes

Paper Mario: Sticker Star - Boo Night Fever

Pokémon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum Version - Oreburgh City (Day)

Aero the Acro-Bat (SNES) - Museum 1

Ocarina

Professor Layton and the Unwound Future - The Toy Car

Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver Version - Cianwood City

Chrono Trigger - Peaceful Days

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Blue Badger ~ I Want to Protect You

Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life - Song of the Gentle Breeze

Mega Man & Bass - Magic Man Stage

New this year: 36 (30 Piano/ 6 Ocarina) Overall Total: 156 I started making sheets for and learning ocarina in 2015 thanks to @mamoru and @thebattlefrontier. I’m sorry that the ocarina audio is so loud, I didn’t know what I was doing. Other Years

#Shadoninja #Year in Review #Sheet Music

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sunriserose1023 · 6 years

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Trust Fall

My second entry for Star’s Marvel Mayhem Challenge!

PROMPT: “Just close your eyes and fall. Fall backwards in your mind and tell me who you see catching you. Is it him … or is it me?” CHARACTERS: Female reader, Wanda Maximoff, Thor,Tony Stark, Pepper Potts (mentioned), Bruce Banner, Clint Barton, Natasha Romanoff, Bucky Barnes, Sam Wilson, Stephen Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy (mentioned) WORD COUNT: 4375 WARNINGS: Canon adjacent; female x female relationship, ANGST

TAGS: @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan, @captain-rogers-beard, @fandommaniacx, @jessica-bones-winchester, @kittenofdoomage, @evansrogerskitten

“Miss Y/N?”

You glanced up—why, you didn’t know—at the gentle voice that softly spoke your name. you swallowed and answered just as softly.

“Yes, F.R.I.D.A.Y.?” “Is everything okay, ma’am?”

You nodded.

“Just … can’t sleep. I thought a snack might help.” “Is there anything I can do?”

You smiled.

“No, F.R.I.D.A.Y. But thank you.”

The voice disappeared, and you let out a shaky breath. You tightened your robe around you, opening the refrigerator and peeking inside. Three gallons of milk sat on various shelves, with names scribbled on them. Clint had one that only he and Natasha could use. Thor had his own, because he had a tendency to drink straight from the gallon. Steve and Bucky shared one, for Steve’s all-American breakfast of corn flakes and Bucky’s whatever-is-full-of-marshmallows. The sweet tooth on the former Winter Soldier surprised pretty much everyone, and it never failed to make you smile.

Like now.

You tilted your head and grabbed Steve and Bucky’s milk, then pulled Bucky’s box of cereal off the counter. You poured yourself a bowl, then put the milk back in the refrigerator. You smiled as you sat at the table.

“Don’t tell anybody, F.R.I.D.A.Y.” “Your secret is safe with me.”

You ate slowly, savoring the bites and ignoring the way your hand shook the slightest bit. You yawned, shaking your head and stirring the spoon in your bowl. The cereal bits were getting soggy, and you’d already ate all the marshmallows. You tilted your head, rolling your shoulders, yawning again before propping your elbow on the table and putting your head in your hand. You stirred the spoon again, closing your eyes as you yawned.

“Mr. Stark.” “Hmm?” “Mr, Stark, it’s urgent.” “Yeah.”

Tony leapt out of bed when an air horn sounded, and Pepper groaned as she rolled over, grabbing Tony’s pillow and putting it over her head. Tony groaned, rubbing the knee he’d somehow managed to smack on the floor.

“What the hell, F.R.I.D.A.Y.?!” “It’s Miss Y/N, sir.”

Tony yawned, shaking his head, eyes flying open when realization hit him.

“Crap.”

Tony stumbled as he stood up, rushing for the door. He threw it open and started down the hall.

“Kitchen, sir.”

He switched directions, running towards the kitchen. He ignored the dark, questioning eyes in an open doorway and came to a stop in the kitchen. He let out a breath of relief when he heard the whimpers.

He’d managed to get to her before the screams started.

This time.

He walked to the table and gently pulled her chair from it, kneeling before her.

“Y/N? Come on, kid. Open your eyes.” “No.” “Come on, honey. Everything’s alright.”

You gave a whimper and he gently tapped your face with his hand.

“Y/N, it’s Tony. I’m right here. Everything is okay.”

You gave a shake of your head and Tony sighed as he gripped your arms in his hands.

“Come on, kid. Open your eyes.”

You gave a pitiful whimper and Tony closed his eyes, setting his jaw as he spoke sharply.

“Y/N, open your eyes right now!”

You jumped, eyes flying open and darting around the room before landing on the dark, worried eyes in front of you.

“T—Tony?” “Yeah, kid. I’m right here.”

You looked around the room, chest heaving as you tried to breathe.

“I’m … where am I?” “You tell me.”

You whimpered again, looking around, taking some comfort in the way Tony’s warm hands skated up and down your trembling arms.

“Am I … at the compound?” “Are you?”

You slowly nodded.

“I’m at the compound.” “Yes.” “I’m not … there anymore?” “Nope. Do you remember what happened?”

You took a moment, then nodded.

“I was re—rescued.” “Good girl.”

You nodded again, leaning forward and resting your forehead on Tony’s shoulder. He sighed, closing his eyes and rubbing a hand up and down your back.

He couldn’t tell you that it was okay, because it wasn’t. He couldn’t tell you that everything would be alright again, because he honestly didn’t know if it ever would.

You sat in the far corner of the lab, your back to the wall. You could see the entire lab from where you were sitting, but somehow, you found comfort in the enclosed space.

By now, Bruce was used to you spending your days with him, sketching silently in what you both now saw as your corner. The gentle scratch of your pencils across the paper was somehow soothing to both of you, and Bruce—surprising even himself—welcomed the company, silent as it was.

He muttered to himself as he worked, sometimes talking out loud as if to you. You had absolutely no clue as to anything he mentioned, but you liked the sound of his voice, the gentle Midwestern accent he had, and the way that he talked.

You hadn’t noticed him staring at you, and you only glanced up when he cleared his throat. He gave you a soft smile and you blinked as you straightened from the way you’d been hunched over your sketchbook, groaning as the muscles in your back protested.

“Wanna take a break?”

You smiled, shrugging your shoulders.

“I lost track of time.”

Bruce nodded.

“Easy to do down here.”

You nodded, rolling your fingers over the page you’d been sketching. Bruce spoke again, softer than before.

“You know, if … if you ever want to talk … I can listen. God knows you’ve listened to me.” “Yeah, but … I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t have to chime in.”

Bruce smiled at that, flattening his hand on the desk in front of him, rolling a pencil under his palm.

“I don’t have to chime in for you, either.”

You swallowed hard, nodding your head.

“Th-thank you, but I … I can’t.” “You will.”

You lifted your head and met his eyes. He smiled, shrugging a shoulder.

“You might not believe it coming from me, but time does help.” “You think so?” “I know so.”

You nodded, looking down as tears welled up in your eyes again.

“Thanks, big guy.” “No problem.”

Bruce stood up with a groan, stretching for a moment before he walked to you and extended his hand. You took it, letting him help you to your feet. He looped your arm through his, patting your hand as the two of you walked towards the elevator that would lead you to the kitchen.

You worked out a schedule where you did most everything when no one else was around. You ate when the kitchen was clear, which meant breakfast happened before anyone else was up. You ate lunch in the late afternoon, and your dinnertime was once everyone else had gone to bed. That is, if you ate at all.

You spent your days in the lab with Bruce and your nights on the roof with Clint.

You were sitting up on a ledge, the lights of the city under you, a large expanse of stars above you. You had one leg dangling off the side, and at the opposite end of the ledge, Clint was in a mirror position to you. You were staring up at the stars, but Clint was watching you.

“You’ve got to sleep sometime, kid.”

You smiled at his soft statement.

“Pot, kettle.”

Clint smiled.

“Do as I say, not as I do.”

You rolled your eyes, smiling as you saw a shooting star. You swallowed, speaking softly.

“It’s weird.” “What?” “How comfortable I am up here.”

Clint clenched his back teeth together as he braced himself for what you might say next.

“I can’t even remember how many times I fell or was thrown off a building or … something else to do with heights. I think maybe it’s because you’re up here. I feel safe with you.”

Clint winced, clearing his throat before he spoke.

“I … I wasn’t there with you?”

You shook your head.

“Not until the end.” “The end?” “When you saved me.”

Clint closed his eyes, and you kept talking.

“You were there, and Tony. And … Stephen?”

Clint nodded.

“Dr. Strange, yes. He’s the one who led us to you.”

You nodded, leaning your head against the wall as you sighed.

“I don’t remember anyone else.” “There wasn’t anyone else. Just us.”

You nodded again, and Clint swallowed at the sudden bitter taste in his mouth. He hated lying to you, but here lately, no one could even say her name without you absolutely losing it, to the point where Banner or Tony or even Clint himself would have to inject some sort of tranquilizer—something over Clint’s paygrade so he didn’t know the details—into you and knock you out. He ran a hand over his face and huffed out a breath.

“I, uh … I’m sorry it took us so long to get to you.” “It’s okay. I lost all sense of time.”

Clint’s eyes widened at that, and he looked over to see you yawn. He licked his lips, then hopped back onto the roof from his perch on the ledge.

“Come on.”

He walked over to you, holding out a hand. You blinked as you looked down at his hand. He gave you a crooked smile.

“Let’s go get some rest. Sun’ll be up soon.”

You nodded, putting your hand in his and moving off the wall to stand beside him.

“Y/N!”

You barely heard him yell your name as your legs gave out and you sank to the ground. Clint moved behind you to catch and gently lower you down. F.R.I.D.A.Y. was saying something over the intercom system, but all you could hear was the pounding of your heartbeat and the rush of blood in your ears.

“What the hell happened?”

You turned your head, but your eyes wouldn’t focus.

“She just stepped off the ledge.” “Oh my god!” “No, not like that! We were going inside.”

You felt soft hands against your face.

“Y/N? Can you hear me?”

That voice. You knew that voice.

“You shouldn’t be touching her. You know how she—” “Come on, Y/N. Come back to me.”

You closed your eyes, hanging your head, taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly. Everything swirling in your mind suddenly came to a halt. You lifted your head, locking eyes with the woman in front of you, holding your face in her hands. She smiled, her eyes soft.

“Hey there. Everything is okay.”

You blinked.

“Wanda?”

She continued to smile that soft, gentle smile as she nodded her head. You nodded slowly, eyes filling with tears.

“Please don’t hurt me.” “What?” “Let me go. Please just—just let me go.” “Y/N, I don’t—”

You hung your head, tears spilling down your cheeks.

“I can’t. I can’t fight you. Please just let me go.”

She dropped her hands from your face and you gave a choked sob of relief, falling back to the ground. She shook her head as she stood up, staring at you, watching you curl into a ball and cry. The door to the roof burst open, and Steve rushed over, kneeling in front of you.

“Y/N? Hey, can you hear me?”

You lifted your head, hope filling your eyes.

“Ca—Cap?”

Steve’s eyes went soft as a sad smile came to his lips.

“Yeah, bud.”

You smiled as tears slid down your cheeks. He held out a hand and you laid your shaky one in his warm palm. He gave a slight tug and you surged forward, nearly knocking him over as you wrapped your arms around him, crying into his thick shoulder.

Steve gave a hard sigh, looking up and seeing Clint run a hand down his face. Steve wrapped his arms around you and held you as he stood up, keeping you in his strong arms as he left the roof.

When the door shut behind Steve, Clint turned to Wanda.

“What the hell were you thinking?”

Wanda’s eyes burned as she stared at him.

“Don’t start with me.”

Wanda shook her head as she stepped away from him, pushing her hands through her long hair.

“You don’t understand.” “I do.”

Wanda whirled back to him.

“You’ve had the one person you love more than life itself completely torn away from you? Apparently tortured by a version of you, to the point that she can’t even look at you?”

Wanda shook her head.

“I can’t even touch her, Clint. My very presence brings her pain. How …”

Wanda shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. She shook her head, turning away from him, wrapping her arms around her stomach and walking to the door. It flung open, slamming shut behind her. Clint took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he hung his head.

“Wanda!”

She glanced over her shoulder, a wide smile coming to her lips when she saw you. She held out an arm and you walked to her, looping your arms around her waist and resting your head on her shoulder. She wrapped her arm around your shoulders, resting her head atop yours, and you closed your eyes as you took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly when she pressed her lips to the top of your head before resting her head on you again.

“I missed you today.”

You smiled, tightening your hold on her.

“Blame Tony. He forced me to go with him, to try and keep him from chasing rabbits during his big speech.” “Did it work?” “There was like one minute where I kind of dozed off, but I fixed it real quick.”

Wanda laughed, the sound rich and warm. You pulled back, looking up at her dark eyes.

“I missed you too, you know.”

She smiled, moving a hand to cup your face. You closed your eyes, sighing softly as Wanda’s soft lips caressed yours. You blinked your eyes open, smiling when one of her long fingers tapped your nose.

“Do it.”

Wanda rolled her eyes, a soft smile on her face. Her fingers slowly began moving, sparks of red forming a tiny ball at the tips of her fingers. A wide smile spread over your face, your eyes locked on the spinning red sphere Wanda was rolling over her fingers as she turned her hand over, before bringing it back. You gasped, dissolving into giggles when Wanda flicked the red ball to you, which dissipated as it hit your nose, sending soft shockwaves through your body. Wanda smiled as she watched you shiver, hands reaching out until she laced her long fingers with yours.

“Any plans?” “Sparring with Natasha. Strategizing with Steve. Steve had mentioned something about a new person coming to the compound.”

You perked up at that.

“Who?”

Wanda lifted an eyebrow as she smiled.

“Why? You looking for a new friend?”

You shrugged your shoulders.

“Fresh meat is always fun. We haven’t had anyone new since Bucky got here.” “Oh, speaking of, Bruce mentioned something about maybe getting Strange to find a book or something for Bucky.” “Ooh, field trip?!”

Wanda laughed.

“Let Bruce know you want to go and you know he’ll be all for it.” “Bless his hermit self.”

Wanda nodded, and you leaned over, pressing your lips to her cheek, laughing when she turned her head and captured your lips with hers.

“I’ll go talk with Bruce and Tony and whoever else. You go kick some Black Widow butt.”

“Wanda?”

She wiped a hand over her cheeks, brushing the tears away. Natasha stepped into the room, arms crossed over her chest. Wanda sniffled and turned around, long arms laced together over her stomach.

“How is she?” “Sleeping. How are you?”

Wanda rolled her eyes, waving a hand. Natasha sighed, stepping further into the room.

“Want to talk about it?”

Wanda shook her head.

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

Natasha sighed.

“Come on.”

Wanda closed her eyes, red ropes vibrating around her body until Natasha’s soft voice broke through.

“Easy, easy.”

Wanda opened her eyes, letting out a choked breath. She looked to Natasha, tears welling in her eyes.

“It isn’t fair.” “It’s not.” “I can’t touch her.” “I know.” “I can’t even be in the same room with her.”

Natasha sighed.

“I know. I’m so sorry.”

Wanda shook her head, hanging it as Natasha moved in, wrapping her in a hug.

“Trust fall!”

Wanda squealed as she caught you as you fell backwards, grabbing your arms and lifting you back into a standing position.

“Don’t do that!”

You laughed, turning to loop your arms around her neck.

“Why not? I know you’ll always catch me. Watch!”

You let go of her, closing your eyes, throwing your arms out and falling backwards, smiling when a red net-looking ball appeared under you, holding you off the ground. It shifted until you were standing upright, and you blinked your eyes open just in time to see Wanda let her hands fall. She shook her head and you grinned at her.

“One of these days…” “Oh, don’t be so melodramatic.”

You kissed her cheek, walking away from her and grabbing a green apple from the bowl on the counter. Wanda walked closer to you and you turned to lean against the counter.

“Clint’s flying me to see Doctor Strange later today.” “Want me to come with you?” “Nope. You’ve got a date with Cap, since he was out on a mission this morning.”

Wanda rolled her eyes and you shrugged your shoulders.

“I’ll be fine with Clint.” “Oh, really? You’re so sure?”

You nodded, and she crossed her arms over her chest.

“Just close your eyes and fall. Fall backwards in your mind and tell me who you see catching you. Is it him … or is it me?”

You smiled as you closed your eyes, not realizing what you were doing until you lost your balance. You sucked in a breath, arms flailing out, until you realized that you’d never hit the ground. You blinked your eyes open, seeing Wanda in front of you with a hand held out, fingers rolling, keeping the red net open under you. You gave her a soft smile.

“You, Scarlet. It’s always you.”

Bucky lifted his head, sitting back in the chair as you walked into his room. You shook your head, tears pooling in your eyes. He started to stand up, but you shook your head. He sat back, tilting his head to the side, just waiting until your voice softly broke the silence.

“I don’t know what’s real anymore.”

He slowly nodded his head.

“I know what that’s like.”

You nodded.

“How do you stand it?”

Bucky sighed.

“You’ve got to let someone help you.”

You sniffled as tears slipped down your cheeks.

“I don’t think I can.” “You can. You just have to work through it. Find the right person to help you through it.”

You nodded, sniffling again, tears still falling. Bucky stood then, slowly making his way to you.

“Do you want to try Wakanda?”

You shook your head, and Bucky swallowed.

“Did … did you …”

You nodded, and he sighed.

“We can talk with Tony or Steve or whoever. See if they can’t come up with something.”

You nodded again, both of you standing there until Bucky cleared his throat, opening his arms. You smiled, stepping into his embrace, closing your eyes as he held you, the quiet thrum of the metal plates in his arm as he moved soothing your racing mind.

Wanda’s eyes flew open as an alarm began blaring throughout the compound. She hurried to the kitchen, and at the sight of the empty room, she ran to the common room. She looked to her left at the clearing of a throat, hurrying to follow Sam down to one of the labs below the living section.

Steve was standing before a screen, Bucky at the table behind him, clenching and releasing his metal hand. Natasha was in the corner, speaking softly with Tony, who held a phone in his hand. Bruce walked in, cleaning his glasses on his shirt. Tony lowered the phone and held a hand over his eyes, sighing before he looked at the team in front of him. He raised an eyebrow and Bruce waved over his shoulder.

“Thor had a … thing.”

Tony closed his eyes, shaking his head once.

“Okay. Do not freak out, but … the jet’s missing.” “What jet?”

Tony blew out a breath.

“The one with Clint and Y/N on it.”

Wanda felt her heart stutter in her chest. She shook her head.

“Mi—missing? What do you mean missing?”

Tony shook his head.

“Comm’s completely shut off. Tracking system’s shot.” “What happened?”

Tony shook his head again.

“We don’t know.”

You lifted your head from your corner in Bruce’s lab. He turned back from the table he was sitting at, a smile coming over his face.

“Hey, Thor.”

Thor made his way into the room, nodding at Bruce. He walked over to you, crouching down in front of you.

“Hello, little one.”

The ghost of a smile came to your lips. You’d always loved his voice, how deep it was and the accent that was so different than the one you were used to hearing. You closed your eyes, giving a minute shake of your head, missing the look Bruce and Thor shared. He cleared his throat and you blinked your eyes open, almost looking surprised to see him before you. He tilted his head until he was looking into your eyes.

“I think I know a way to help you.”

The hope in your eyes tugged at Thor’s heart, affecting Bruce the same way, until he turned away.

Clint shook his head as he sat in the corner.

“Why the hell is this taking so long?” “We’re doing the best we can. Put the ice back on your head.”

Clint stared at Steve until Steve rolled his eyes and turned back to the table before him. Clint huffed out a breath, wincing as he moved the ice pack to the back of his head, where a knot had formed and a dull ache had set in. He stared down at his hands as Wanda moved in front of him.

“You don’t know where she is?” “I’ve told you already. Soon as we moved into Strange’s territory, something happened. I don’t know what; I only know when he forced me to wake up.”

Wanda pushed her hands through her hair, shaking her head. Tony hurried into the room, waving his phone around.

“Time loop!”

Steve lifted his head from the table. Wanda turned as Clint lowered the ice pack, all eyes on Tony. Clint cleared his throat.

“I think I speak for everybody when I say … what the hell are you talking about?” “Strange just called. He thinks you somehow stumbled into a time warp in the jet and now Y/N is stuck in a loop.” “How do we get her out?”

Tony pointed to Steve.

“Love how you forego beating around the bush. Just get right to the point, no need for—” “Tony, get to the point.” “Right. Strange is working on that. In the meantime … suit up.”

Natasha stepped into Wanda’s room, finding her curled up on her bed, staring out the window. She walked over an sat on the bed, softly smiling when Wanda shifted until her head was in Natasha’s lap.

“I need to tell you something.”

“There she is!”

Clint ran over, hitting his knees. Stephen crouched beside him, eyes moving over the prone form before him. He motioned for Tony, who removed his Iron Man helmet and reached out.

“Y/N? Wake up, honey.”

You gave a soft moan as Wanda burst into the room. You tried to roll over, moaning until Tony helped you. You cried out when you were flat on your back, blinking open your eyes as Clint took your face in his hands.

“Hey, kid.” “Cl—Clint?”

He nodded, brows furrowing at the low, scratchy sound of your voice, damaged as though you’d been yelling. Tears welled in your eyes as you saw Tony over Clint’s shoulder.

“You’re here.”

Tony nodded.

“We got you, kid. You’re safe now.”

You smiled through the tears, until you glanced over Clint’s other shoulder. Your eyes widened, breath coming faster, a broken scream leaving your lips.

“Easy! Easy, Y/N. What’s wrong?” “Run. Clint, run, hurry!” “Y/N, what are you—” “She’ll kill you. She’ll kill you all, and then she’ll come for me. Please, go.” “Y/N, that’s Wanda. She’s not—” “Get me away from her!”

Tony gathered you in his arms, blasting out of the room they’d found you in, closing his eyes when you clung to him, sobbing.

Natasha sighed, running her fingers through Wanda’s hair as she spoke softly.

“Thor has some business he needs to attend to on Asgard. There are some … I don’t know. Vigilantes, I guess? They call themselves the Guardians of the Galaxy. Thor’s friends with them, and one of the Guardians has gone missing. They need another set of eyes to help search.”

Wanda didn’t make any noise, so Natasha continued.

“We … we thought it would be best if Y/N went.” “To Asgard?” “No, to … well … space.”

Wanda closed her eyes as Natasha’s voice continued to wash over her.

“Neither of you are doing okay right now. Maybe some space is what you need.” “She needs to go to other planets to get away from me.” “Honey, it’s not you. It’s her mind.”

Wanda nodded.

“Can I tell her goodbye?”

Natasha sighed.

“She’s already gone.”

Wanda’s face fell as the tears started.

“She’s never coming back is she?”

Natasha glanced out the window, tears coming to her own eyes. The answer she didn’t give was all the answer Wanda needed, rolling closer to Natasha as she sobbed.

#star's marvel mayhem challenge #rachel writes marvel #wanda maximoff #wanda x female reader #angsty #female x female relationship #lesbian #emotional pain #breakup

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