#someone on another post asked about the raft

[jerrylewis-thekid]

.

Hello, I was writing and deleting an hour ago because I don't know how to ask a question and also because of my anger, so simply how did Jerry deal with the fact that Dean preferred Mak over him for thirty years and the possibility that they were a couple... How did Jerry continue to love him?! How did he continue to love a man who did not care about his feelings and knew that he had been replaced!! I can't believe Dean preferred this idiot over Jerry!!!

Everything about Dean and Jerry is very complicated. I'm sure Dean loved Jerry but more than anything he loved "the Kid". The emotional addict with light feminine features who looked at him with adoring eyes and who had put him at the center of her world. Dean, perhaps for the first time in his life, was a "hero" to someone. But Jerry grew up year after year. He was a wild colt, he had his dreams (directing) and he had to fulfill his dreams. As it should be. And year after year he lost his adorable feminine characteristics and his sweetness as a child and became more and more manly and more masculine. And he had started to think a little more about himself, I REPEAT, AS IT SHOULD BE. Mack Gray was no idiot. He had worked for twenty years for George Raft, a domineering and arrogant narcissist with a hint of the mafia. Mack Gray had learned full submission with Raft. He never married. He has practically lived as Dean Martin's shadow since 1952, the year in which he officially began working for Dean, but since 1948, the year in which they met, Mack was all too present in Dean's life. I've written several posts about this. There's too much to write now… but the fact that that man was so close to Dean, so present in his public and private life (Mack Gray went on holiday with Dean and his whole family. After the breakup with Jerry It was as if he was part of Dean's family in all respects) and above all Dean's reaction to the death of Mack Gray (he was practically committing suicide with alcohol and drugs) and Deana Martin's words when she wrote in her book that " without Mack Gray my father's life was no longer the same" which makes me fear. Very. Dean Martin has argued with everyone at one time or another. Even with Sinatra. With Mack Gray NO. I'll write a more complete post as soon as I can.

Jerry at a certain point stopped totally submitting to Dean. Mack Gray always submitted to Dean and had no talent. He was physically ugly and untalented, without physical beauty Mack Gray could NEVER have outshined Dean. By the mid-1960s Jerry had become overwhelmingly beautiful. Next to each other Jerry would appear the adonis. Dean was nine years older than Jerry. And Dean didn't want to be overshadowed by anyone. And there were certainly those who fueled his insecurities. And I'm sure a certain blonde woman did it day after day.

#jerry lewis #dean martin #mack gray #answered

[minervamagicka]

sign of life

well, I guess if time’s a circle I’m stuck in it -

With the announcement of the TS4 horse pack, I’m tentatively dipping my toes back into the TS3/TS4 CC community (as a note, though I made the majority of my CC for TS3, I have very little incentive or desire to return to that game; it simply is just too old for me to handle and for it to contain me. If someone ever manages to reverse-engineer it enough to get it to use more than 4GB of ram, though, I’ll happily return home). I’m leaving the moniker of Luke Teth behind, however, so whilst you can refer to me as that I’d really prefer you didn’t. I also have zero interest in joining any Discords or communities related to TS3/TS4 horses so please don’t even try. I’ll be posting the majority of my creations here & they may get cross-posted to DeviantArt as well.

All this means that whilst I’m mostly experienced in TS3 CC creation (granted.... many years ago), I'll be looking into and learning more about TS4′s architecture to prepare for many model conversions and projects related to the new horses, as I plan to do a lot of reverse-engineering (I guess I’m going to try and make another ‘HD’ mod for them, too. The poor thing in the TS4 previews is practically begging for a default replacement base texture). Primarily, I’m eyeing SSO like it’s the last meal on earth and I’m a starving man, as I think there’s a lot of potential when it comes to rescuing assets from that game and showing them off the way they deserve to be shown. That being said, I have a pretty substantial list of games and game dumps for me to pick over.

So, this all means too that I am semi-officially, semi-reviving this tumblr. Unfortunately, I had a drive failure some 2 years past which made me lose the vast majority of my physical copies of the majority of my TS3 CC. This means I can’t really do any semblance of re-uploading or answering any requests for re-uploads because I quite literally do not have those files any longer. That being said, all of my TS3 CC on this blog is still tagged correctly so you’ll be able to find the posts I did for it if they got posted here.

For what it’s worth, a lot of my TS3 equine CC was in a folder on SFS - You can find that here. I really don’t know what’s all in there, or if it’d still be relevant for folks to want access to, but with the old forums and various sites down, I figured sending it out on a raft into the world might benefit someone. Bear in mind that I only ask for credit if anyone ends up using that CC as a starting point for their own.

Cheers.

#TS3CC #equus sims #ts3 horses #ts4 #ts4 horses

[themculibrary]

Post-FATWS Masterlist

A thing with feathers (ao3) - Em_Jaye bucky/sarah M, 48k

Summary: “What if you had someone else to help you run the boat?” he asks finally.

Sam laughs and looks at him sideways. “What? Like you?”

Bucky shrugs like it just occurred to him. Maybe it did. But it feels good. It feels like the kind of decision that’s just his. Not shiny around the edges, letting him know it was grown in someone else’s mind before being dropped into his. “Why not?”

“Why not?” Sam repeats. “Because you don’t know shit about fishing.”

“Well, from the sounds of it, neither do you.”

A Three Part Plan (ao3) - GrannyUnicorn T, 12k

Summary: Bucky was bored.

He’d been staying in Delacroix for nearly a month now that not much was happening since the flag smasher business. Turned out Sam was actually serious about that ‘long vacation’ thing, though the ‘separate’ part seemed to have slipped his mind. Which was fine. This was nice. In the beginning. But Bucky wasn’t used to sitting still, so after one and a half day of sleeping, reading, and looking out over the docks, he had started to get restless, latching onto any opportunity to distract himself.

And then John Walker mysteriously shows up on a boat and asks for his help. This can't go wrong, right?

(I mean, you've seen the tags and the answer is: yes it can)

A Visit From A Friend (ao3) - NovemberMurray G, 2k

Summary: Ayo visits Bucky in New York to deliver a message, a package, and-- most importantly-- an apology. She wasn't expecting him to have company when she knocked on his door, but it proves entertaining.

Beads On A String (ao3) - Sholio T, 14k

Summary: When Wakanda pulls Zemo out of the Raft and sends him on a mission, Ayo is tasked with being his handler. But there is more to it than either of them knows.

becoming a resident of the wilson household (ao3) - orphan_account sam/bucky T, 2k

Summary: Sam wiped his forehead after they set down the box on the floor; it was already hot outside, and moving boxes in and out didn’t help. “Wait a minute, you’re a super soldier with a metal arm. Can’t you carry all this yourself?”

“Technically yes, but that doesn’t mean that your help doesn’t make it easier.”

“You’re lucky I like you.”

“I’d hope so, since we’re sharing a room now.”

-

months after the events of tfatws, boyfriends sam and bucky are officially moving in together.

Captains and Crawfish (ao3) - StarlightDreamer21 G, 1k

Summary:

After the events of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, everyone needs some downtime. Sam decides that a true New Orleans crawfish boil is called for.

~

An introspective look into the mind of Sam Wilson and his many friendships.

Electric Love (ao3) - pouringinsheet sam/bucky T, 1k

Summary: “Listen, Shuri, you know I love the wings, right?”

“The wings that make most major publications refer to you as the Angel of America?” Now she just sounded smug. Sam rolled his eyes at the nickname.

“Is there anything else you maybe should have told me about them?”

When Sam realizes that his wings low-key read his mind, he starts reflecting on things. If this had slipped by his attention for so long, what else had changed while Sam wasn’t looking? One of those changes might be how he looks at Bucky. Another might be how Bucky looks at him.

everybody talks (ao3) - SuburbanSun sam/bucky G, 1k

Summary: As Sam spends a Saturday running errands across town, he starts to get the sense that his neighbors—and maybe even his sister—know something about his relationship with Bucky that he doesn't.

golden light lies ahead (it's just around the bend) (ao3) - sunflowergolden sam/bucky G, 2k

Summary: “What the hell is wrong with you?!” Sam wasn’t sure what his face looked like, but he was willing to bet he didn’t look very happy.

Bucky just looked at Sam and raised his eyebrows, just a little bit. “Many things, Samuel, you know this. I’m afraid you’re going to have to be a little more specific.”

or, the one where Sam and Bucky haven't spoken in weeks and Bucky suddenly turns up at the cookout. Sam is finding it very hard to be mad.

Joining a Family You're Already Part Of (ao3) - r_n_g_are_dead bucky/sarah T, 7k

Summary: Bucky never really thought he’d ever get married. He also never thought he’d be part of a family again. Plans change, though. Post-TFATWS Bucky/Sarah, but mostly Bucky & Sam being bros.

One Last Name (ao3) - MiraculouslyTrashy G, 3k

Summary: “But I am no longer The Winter Soldier, I’m James Bucky Barnes, and you’re part of my efforts to make amends” he recites for the last time. So why doesn't he feel the relief he was hoping for?

“What does that mean?” Morgan’s nose scrunches, turning to him now, “What’s ‘amends’?”

(In which Bucky has one last name in his notebook: Tony Stark)

Power Broker Is Watching (ao3) - a_boy_and_his_dog T, 27k

Summary: “What the hell? You guys took forever,” a voice said from somewhere in front of a blindfolded Sam as the men holding him forced him to a stop. “We’re kind of on a schedule here, it’d be nice if you followed it. Let’s go.”

He was once again shoved forward, this time being led down a staircase. Sam almost tripped down the first one, but one of the hands gripping him kept him on his feet. Fifteen steps, Sam counted. Fifteen steps down into… wherever he was.

Someone groaned as he was brought forward, and the voice from before said, “You can shut it.”

“Hmph, and you… you can fuck off."

Yeah, Sam was pretty sure that was Bucky.

the rain never came (ao3) - last_honey minor sam/bucky T, 1k

Summary: Against her better judgement, Yelena meets with James. The conversation doesn't go how she wants it to.

The Same River, Twice (The Man Is Still Left with His Hands) (ao3) - amoneth, dorian_burberrycanary steve/bucky G, 4k

Summary: Steve had meant to stay forever and didn’t last a year. He meant to return right back to when he left, but that doesn’t work out the way he planned either.

Turns out a lot can happen in nine months.

—

Steve didn’t need his first month back to make him aware of just how many degrees forgiveness comes in, but some lessons feel new each time. Getting a text from Sam asking him to Delacroix for the weekend feels like one tick closer and Steve’ll take it.

He’s texting back when Sam adds, Bucky will be there.

And Steve? Steve’ll take that, too.

A post-The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Stucky Endgame fix-it where a lot needs fixing.

the wires for empathy (ao3) - napricot sam/bucky T, 90k

Summary: “I feel like literally, actually saving the world has given you unrealistic expectations. Most folks don’t need you to save the entire world on the regular, Sam," said Sarah.

“I hear you,” said Sam, rueful. He sighed and tipped his head back, pressing the heels of his hands against his eyes. “But I still kind of feel like I have to save the entire world, if I’m carrying this shield.”

“Sam,” said Bucky, and Sam lowered his hands and opened his eyes to look at him, only to find himself the subject of Bucky’s staring problem yet again. “Let’s just go out there. See who we can help, how."

Taking on the Captain America mantle is all well and good, but unfortunately, it quickly becomes pretty obvious to Sam that carrying the shield doesn't guarantee a paying gig as a superhero—at least, not any kind of job that fits with the kind of Cap Sam wants to be. But when it comes down to it, all Sam wants to do is use the shield to help people, so paying gig or not, he and Bucky set out on the road to do just that, and to figure out what kind of superheroes they want to be. Slowly but surely, they figure out just what kind of partners they want to be too. (Hint: it is not 'just a couple of guys.')

Trouble Man (ao3) - s_solo sam/bucky M, 34k

Summary: Sam’s in love. Bucky’s in denial. The Power Broker’s on the loose. What could go wrong?

unsung melody (ao3) - ace_oroes N/R, 2k

Summary: "What’s up?”

Bucky’s shoulder lifts in a shrug. “Just thinking.”

“Really? It’s gonna be that kind of night?” Sam teases, partly to give Bucky a hard time and partly to take his mind off the unpleasant sensation of mud seeping into the creases of his body.

Bucky doesn’t reply right away. Sam can almost guarantee he’s making some sort of face, because what else would an appropriate response from a one-hundred-and-six-year-old supersoldier?

“Just appreciating the irony,” Bucky says, like that clears things up. He correctly interprets Sam’s silence as confusion and adds, “Eighty years and halfway around the world and here I am on my ass in the mud. Again.”

During a stakeout some ten thousand miles away from Delacroix, Bucky remembers, Sam has plenty of thoughts of his own, and they maybe even learn a thing or two... and everything ends up okay for once.

Where The Heart Is (ao3) - The_Buzz sam/bucky T, 8k

Summary: When Bucky is made to believe he's the Winter Soldier again, Sam has to find a way to bring him home.

Winters Return (ao3) - TinyTiredWriter sam/bucky T, 4k

Summary: “It means he’s still in there.”

Those words haven’t left Sam’s head since Bucky said them in the backyard throwing the shield around. It’s been some months since then, a lot has changed since they’ve had that heart-to-heart.

~ ~ ~

Basically, Sam and Torres get captured, Bucky turns into the Winter Soldier to rescue them.

You Were A Gun (ao3) - qodarkness G, 2k

Summary: “All I can tell you is how he was different from Steve.”

After everything is over, Bucky and Dr Raynor have a conversation by the riverside.

#themculibrary #masterlists #marvel #mcu #fatws #sam wilson #falcon and the winter soldier masterlist #bucky barnes #post canon #post canon masterlist #post fatws #past fatws masterlist

[illicien]

Projects

Okay time to do a collection of my fucking List I guess. This is for me. But also for anyone who wants to harass me and ask how far along another project is. Bah. Organized from most likely to be done to least likely tbh. This'll just be a post I keep editing with new info.

If you want the finished stuff:

WinterBaron Fics Here IronStrangeFrost-adjacent Fics Here

Third Time's the Charm

Rating: E Ship: WinterBaron Key Points: "Counting On It" A/B/O Finale (unless I write that EKO-Scorpion/Zemo bit I've had in my head, but that's in the same universe rather than a necessary part of the series) Length: 2/5

Summary:

When an absence of Zemo for their infiltration missions results in injuries, Bucky puts his foot down and makes it clear that they do actually need his help and whatever's keeping the man locked up in the RAFT needs to be dealt with.

Of course, that means it's time for him to make some serious changes, and figure out how to explain his feelings.

The Devil is a Gentleman (working title)

Rating: E Ship: Hydra!Steve/WS!Bucky/Zemo Key Points: It's just this that I'm blaming on Winter Length: One-Shot

Summary:

(this will exist properly when I decide whose PoV this'll be in.)

HS/"Mafia" AU (working title)

Rating: M-E Ship: WinterBaron Key Points: WinterBaron meeting in High School, separated by circumstances and reunited as very different men. Length: Multichapter & Series

Summary:

(This'll be two long ass fics and I'm not ready to summarize this one any more than I did in the key points tbh.)

War Child (Series Title)

Rating: E Ship: WinterBaron Key Points: Young Zemo. Secretary Barnes. Length: One-Shot Series

Summary:

The Sokovian Gov't needs assistance in its ongoing civil war, and Heinrich might just be able to make a deal with someone in the U.S. Gov't to assist.

Move With Glory (working title)

Rating: E Ship: WinterBaron Key Points: War-prize Bucky as a part of EKO-Scorpion; semi-fantasy setting. Length: Unknown

Summary:

Having recently won the war against Winterlund, the Queen of Sokovia has granted her cousin, Colonel Zemo, his pick of the prisoners of war as a prize for his 'rehabilitation project'.

Black Jewels AU (working title)

Rating: E Ship: WinterBaron Key Points: Black-Jeweled Warlord Prince Bucky aids a jewel-broken Purple Dusk Warlord Zemo, and now he can't quite get rid of him Length: One-Shot

Summary:

Warlord Princes are frightening enough without being a recently released one with a known history of violence. However, there's something about a rather bold little Warlord who has decided this particular Warlord Prince might not be as violent as people have made him out to be.

Trouble Is A Friend Of Mine (working title)

Rating: M (for violence more likely than smut tbh) Ship: WinterBaron Key Points: Dead Dove 'selling' of Zemo to track a group that goes WHOOPSY SIDEWAYS. Length: One-Shot

Summary:

As the only one of them with a built-in tracker - courtesy of the RAFT - and a long history of infiltration, it's decided that sending Zemo into the hornet's nest is the best way to find the nest itself. When that tracker fails them, a question must be asked: did Zemo plan his escape, or is he in more danger than they prepared for?

All The Ways I Died (working title)

Rating: T-M (undecided) Ship: WinterBaron Key Points: It's Hanahaki Disease with Zemo. That's it. Length: One-Shot

Summary:

Zemo's fucking pissed to realize that he's in love with someone again; he'd ignore it, if it wasn't literally killing him.

Seeing Double (working title)

Rating: M-E Ship: WinterBaron (maybe WinterStrange, too, we're undecided babes) Key Points: TWO BUCKY FOR THE PRICE OF ONE HEADACHE. Length: One-Shot

Summary:

The multiverse opening up has resulted in a wide assortment of undesirable things. When one of those things involves Sam, Bucky, and Zemo finding themselves a still brainwashed Bucky Barnes, it's time to go have a talk with a wizard sorcerer.

Hunter's Moon (Series Title)

Rating: E Ship: WinterBaron Key Points: Hunter x Werewolf, knotting, general supernatural chaos Length: One-Shot Series

Summary:

Zemo is a hunter of all things supernatural, and when he captures Bucky his intention is to find out where the rest of Bucky's pack is - unfortunately, Bucky has no pack, and Zemo just doesn't believe that. It means he'll have to keep him around until the full moon comes calling - or the pack does.

To The Victors

Rating: M Ship: WinterBaron Key Points: Charity event to rebuild Novi Grad after the fall of the Avengers? :3 Length: One-Shot

Summary:

(why did I decide to put summaries on any of these, I hate writing summaries...)

#Fics in progress #Will be updated as I progress

[teeelsie-posts]

I'm late to the party but so many exciting WIPs! Any in that list about our favorite archer?

Almost all of them!

Against the Wall (I answered this, here)

Crack (of the Bat):  This came from a prompt on the AvengersKink (I really miss that) that said:  SHIELD participates in an annual baseball tournament against the CIA, NSA, FBI, etc. The competition is heated, with major grudges between the different organizations and honor on the line. After the discovery of SHIELDRA, the other agencies obviously think SHIELD's out of the competition, but the loyal members of SHIELD show up . . . and so do members of SHIELDRA. Some of them have been on the baseball team for a decade or more! They're not going to give up now! SHIELD and SHIELDRA have to act as one team if they want to win, but they can't leave their grudges off the field.

What I have drafted is pure silliness, and the “Crack” in the title is a double entendre for sure.  Every year in October I open it up and poke at it a bit, but it’s never gone very far and as we get father away from CA:tWS I feel like it’s less relatable so, it’s unlikely to see the light of day.  But here’s a snippet that makes me giggle:

“Strike ONE!”

“What are you, blind!” he yells as he swings around to come face to face with an eye patch.  “Uh…”

“You have something to say, son?”

He clears his throat.  “With all due respect, sir, I don’t think that was a strike and you, uh… you only have one eye?” The last couple of words peter out into a squeak.

“Do you know who that is on the pitcher’s mound?” Fury gestures with his chin, but keeps his eye riveted on the batter.

He glances toward the mound where the pitcher is wearing a shit-eating grin.  “He doesn’t look familiar, no.”

“Aw, man!  Really?”

“Can it, Hawkeye!”

“Hawkeye?  You mean, the guy with the bow?”

Barton waggles his eyebrows.

The batter sighs.  “Yeah, okay, strike one.”

Falling Timestamps—Flinch:  This is what it sounds like…a timestamp for my fic Falling Off the Face of the Earth, where Clint and Bucky are working on Clint’s farmhouse and Bucky accidently moves quickly and causes Clint to flinch, which resultes in double angst.

msraven remix:  This is a fic inspired by msraven’s fic: Nothing I Wouldn’t Do, where Phil asks Clint (who secretly loves Phil) to have sex with him to practice because he’s going to go out with recently resurrected Steve. That fic is Phil POV, and I asked msraven for permission to remix it from Clint’s POV because the ANGST, omg!  I never got very far with it though…

safeword: This is a winterhawk fic where Bucky is into BDSM but Clint isn’t but Clint goes along with it because he is into Bucky and what’s a little pain?  He’s had worse, he can handle it. I could never make this work with Bucky’s background, and then once I started writing over in DC, I ended up writing this fic as Jay/Dick which I think worked much better (it’s here, if anyone is interested).

Sins (part 2) – Someone commented on my fic Sins of the Father that a second chapter with another conversation between Clint and Tony pre-Endgame battle—now that Tony is a father—would be interesting. I was immediately inspired and I actually have it largely drafted and if I just clean it up, maybe I’ll post it someday.

spinning wheels: This is a post Raft-breakout fic where Clint and Steve start a friends with benefits thing in Wakanda and then catch feelings.

unhealthy coping mechanisms: I think this is the first Avengers fic that ever came to me and I’ve poked at it for years but its long and complicated.  Post-Avengers, Clint is self-punishing and because reasons, he finds that outlet via a BDSM relationship with Tony, Clint hates every minute of it, which is exactly what he wants. Tony, being Tony eventually figures out what Clint is doing.  Lots of angst and feels and eventually Phil comes back and…hopeful ending.

WQ (part 2) (already answered, here)

Not sure which if any of these will see the light of day. *shrugs*. Thanks for the ask @jinxquickfoot 😘

#fanfic #my fic #Clint Barton #Hawkeye #wip game

[isa-the-great-and-powerful]

Y'all I had a Yuri dream last night. Like, nothing crazy as far as action goes, but it was a fun ride for my heart.

I was on an adventure with a group of friends. All people I used to do parkour with. At points we were going down a wide wild river on an inflatable raft. We'd jump to logs floating in the river and do fun things.

But one of my friends was (for some reason) dressing femme for the trip. And everyone knew I was trans and they weren't, but we started out playfully treating him as a her. Then it was less playful and more just normal to treat her like a her one night. Well I was sorta feeling it and "jokingly" asked for a kiss. She gave me a little peck at first. The look on both our faces was "that didn't count". Then she went in for a longer kiss. I was at first a little hesitant to fully embrace it, then my heart pounded harder and relaxed my mind about it possibly being "straight" and kissed back like she was a girl. Playful little tongue on her lips for a sec. I melted. And when we were done, we both sorta looked flushed and like we enjoyed it more than we both thought we would.

We all went on to continue the adventuring of jumping on to platforms and logs and stuff. But she and I had a better connection than before.

Now, the wild part of this to me is the fact that it is someone I actually know in real life and I have no reason to suspect he is an egg or even interested in anything at all close to this. And I'm a lesbian and wouldn't want a kiss from him or any other dude at all. And I really don't find myself attracted to crossdressers at all. But somehow through the lived experience of spending a weekend or so with them in femme made it look like it was becoming real to them in their eyes. I could see a spark, and when it looked real for them is when I was suddenly a little interested... (Not to mention my dream made them as pretty as my cutuals on this site so they had that going for them)

Also, the slightly annoying part is that he is brothers with another friend, and in real life I keep forgetting which is which since I haven't seen them in so long. So I was just as confused in the dream as to which this was. 😆

All that to say, that kiss was unexpectedly magical and revealing. Like, I might be attracted to the belief of being a girl in the other person. Because before that it was just crossdressing or what have you and I just saw my guy friend. But when it was (it's a dream so my brain makes the logic, my brain was saying she identified as she at that time now, if this was irl there'd be a whole lot more conversation about it and I wouldn't assume) her being and believing she is a her I started being attracted to her. Despite her looking nice the whole trip and nothing in looks changed.

Now, do I post this to my FB with some revealing parts of who they actually are (that my friends would most certainly decipher and know who it was) redacted? Or do I keep it here?

#trans #transgender #trans is beautiful #yuri #dream logic #dreams #yuri dream #magical kiss #revealing dream

[ro55ocorsa]

Because I am autistic and the ridiculous car sport is one of my special interests I am pausing the regularly scheduled carlos/charles/oscar/general f1 driver thirst to instead spew all my thoughts on today into a post otherwise I will not stop thinking about this. To my followers; do not worry I will not subject you to this every race I sometimes just need to SCREAM:

Fellow Tifosi: the hard truth is our team is now slower than Mercedes and McLaren. But I think the important question to ask is why? Aside from that Ferrari are being Ferrari again. Well. First of all they have NOT had the raft of upgrades McLaren or even Mercedes have had. McLaren have completely changed their concept and Mercedes have finally given up on the zero pod, and it’s paying off! It’s becoming increasingly clear that trying to make the most of a bad car just doesn’t work, and that you really need to bite the bullet and commit to a complete concept change. Obviously, this is difficult to do with a cost cap, but Ferrari really haven’t kept pace with the upgrade train (aston martin too... a lot of this also applies to them) and if we want to see Charles on the front row again we are going to need some serious tweaking this season. 

Secondly: This years cars are so close the track is playing a massive part in car performance. The beginning of this year was mostly street circuits due to Imola being cancelled, and I have a suspicion these kinds of circuits suit the Aston/Ferrari far more, and that this drop off in pace is not as caused by a lack of development as it initially appears, but these cars just not being as suited to proper racetracks, wheras on street tracks they are closer to competitors. This may just be me on the copium, but I believe that Ferrari and Aston may be in better form on later street circuits this year.

Obviously, I can’t ignore this; FINALLY SOMEONE HAS TAKEN MAX DOWN A PEG. Red Bull don’t seem as comfortably ahead as they usually are. Perhaps the upgrades have unsettled Max slightly? While I doubt Lewis will be able to win this (he did only manage to beat Max by 0.003 of a second) this is certainly an instance of making the god bleed and realising it can be killed. 

I also want to discuss McLaren; It’s becoming clear these massive upgrades have worked! Changing the car so much is a gamble that’s paid off tenfold for them. I hope this level of competitiveness remains this year and beyond, so we can see Oscar get his first podium and Lando his first win. I also hope it’s a wake up call for Ferrari and Aston who have been very complacent. 

Alfa Romeo, also. Did they have upgrades? Did this new quali format just work for them? I’m not entirely sure tbh but well deserved after a shit few races. Would like to see them do well tomorrow but i’m not sure if the one lap pace will carry over.

Another Ferrari thought: I am beginning to suspect they have written this season off as a dud and are turning their attention to next year’s car. I think the success at Le Mans, and the obvious ploy it was to get around the cost cap and also develop tech for their F1 programme, has left them kinda in shambles and going ‘well, we have next year!’ and hoping their new car works. I hope it does. Charles deserves it after all the shit he’s put up with.

Finally; DANIEL! he has had like 3 hours in that car and he dragged it into Q2, what a start! Although I hope the inevitable rivalry doesn’t become too sour between him and Yuki. Daniel has come into this guns blazing and I love to see it. The honey badger is back and he’s gonna BITE. 

Rant over. I just want to say I’m no expert in this and this is just my observations from being obsessed with this sport. Feel free to add your own thoughts! This has been Opti’s notebook. We will soon resume regular programming. 

#f1 #formula #ferrari #aston martin #alfa romeo #mclaren #red bull

[rockislandadultreads]

November is... National Long-Term Care Awareness Month!

Eldercare 101 by Mary Jo Saavedra

An easy-to-understand guide for caregivers in a post-pandemic world who are adapting to the rapidly changing lifestyles and care needs of elders. The care and wellbeing of our seniors is paramount as we move out of the worst phase of Covid 19 and back to a more stable landscape, that is still subject to the vagaries of aging, illness, and capabilities. This updated edition of Eldercare 101 has been expanded to include pandemic lessons, climate change impact on senior housing and relocation, new medical and technological advancements, new housing trends, multigenerational living, Zoom memorials, brain health, legal needs when you have no children or family, isolation and more. Using her Six Pillars of Aging Wellbeing framework, Mary Jo Saavedra and a variety of expert contributors explore the needs, desires, realistic circumstances, opportunities for healthy and safe aging, and end of life care … something we all need to think about at some time or another.

Floating in the Deep End by Patti Davis

With the heartfelt prose of a loving daughter, Patti Davis provides a life raft for the caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients. “For the decade of my father’s illness, I felt as if I was floating in the deep end, tossed by waves, carried by currents, but not drowning,” writes Patti Davis in this searingly honest and deeply moving account of the challenges involved in taking care of someone stricken with Alzheimer’s. When her father, the fortieth president of the United States, announced his Alzheimer’s diagnosis in an address to the American public in 1994, the world had not yet begun speaking about this cruel, mysterious disease. Yet overnight, Ronald Reagan and his immediate family became the face of Alzheimer’s, and Davis, once content to keep her family at arm’s length, quickly moved across the country to be present during “the journey that would take [him] into the sunset of [his] life.”

Empowered by all she learned from caring for her father―about the nature of the illness, but also about the loss of a parent―Davis founded a support group for the family members and friends of Alzheimer’s patients. Along with a medically trained cofacilitator, she met with hundreds of exhausted and devastated attendees to talk through their pain and confusion. While Davis was aware that her own circumstances were uniquely fortunate, she knew there were universal truths about dementia, and even surprising gifts to be found in a long goodbye. With Floating in the Deep End, Davis draws on a welter of experiences to provide a singular account of battling Alzheimer’s.

Mashed Potatoes in My Salad by Eunice L. Sykes

Mashed Potatoes in My Salad is foremost a love story. It is a poignant tale of a woman, who, after several unsuccessful, toxic and abusive relationships, finally finds the man of her dreams under unlikely, risky, and daring circumstances. What she had not anticipated, though, was being a caregiver time and time again as he endures serious illnesses - including a devastating Alzheimer's diagnosis.

This is her complex, multilayered story of ambition, drive, romance, endurance, resilience, loyalty, survival, love, and joy. Her lessons learned will inspire and motivate you to be all that you can be and to live your best life better.

The Caregiver's Companion by Carolyn A. Brent

People today are not only living longer, they are also living sicker—making aging and caring for elderly loved ones more complicated than ever before. In this extensive guide, caregiver advocate Carolyn Brent outlines a step-by-step process so caregivers know what to do and what to ask in every situation that may arise, including:

• Signs that your loved one needs more assistance

• What to look for in a retirement home

• Caretaking in your own home

• How to ensure wills are in order

• How to manage difficult family relationships

• Ensuring you are getting the help and care you need

Brent leaves no stone unturned, provides personal stories and scenarios for context, and includes other references and resources in this complete guide to caregiving.

#long term care #caregiverlife #nonfiction #reading recommendations #reading recs #book recommendations #book recs #library books #tbr #tbr pile #to read #booklr #book tumblr #book blog #library blog #readers advisory

[gondolier-in-battersea]

I was thinking about a little exchange of dialogue from the TV adaptation of Station Eleven and why it encapsulates why I vastly prefer it to the novel:

So in the book, it’s revealed through fictional interviews with a newspaperman that the main character, Kirsten, gets a little knife tattooed on her arm everytime she kills someone, and the book treats it so seriously. “You know better than to ask about that,” she says to the interviewer, and it’s treated like this dark abiding secret when it’s just par for the course in a post-apocalyptic novel! I don’t necessarily object to the inclusion of the detail, but be a little less lame about it, a little more nonchalant. Something like “She threw the knife at his face and reminded herself to call the tattoo parlor later.”

In the TV series, Mackenzie Davis (who is just insanely tall; she’s 5’10’’ [my height] but has tall vibes) is sitting on a raft with a stranger in the sunshine, and she gets up to leave, and the creepy stranger asks her “what’s that tattoo on your arm?” And she pauses and says “It’s for all the people I’ve killed,” and smiles. Like it’s a joke! And then she turns away, but the man says “To the monsters—we’re the monsters. Right?” And she looks at him again, and she says “Where did you hear that?”

I admire that moment because it shows how directly Station Eleven is willing to question its own source material. It signals very clearly that the tattoo means something more than memento mori. (The cheerful sunlight on the waves plays very well against Davis’s clearly unsettled body language; the moment has menace.) In the context of the story, the tattoo is a symbol of a spaceship, from a graphic novel that both of them have read; the Prophet, by speaking a line from the novel, is recognizing another fan. The moment works both textually (the series’s main thematic concern is the idea of adaptation, and both Kirsten and the Prophet will restage events from that graphic novel as the series progresses) and metatextually (as an adaptation of an existing text, Station Eleven tells you that it is going to alter things from the source.)

Anyway, I love that series and that little exchange of dialogue. Davis is very good in it, but Danielle Deadwyler is fucking incredible, and her performance is the starkest and most rewarding departure from the book. I think it’s my favorite thing I’ve ever watched but that’s maybe because I’m a baby who doesn’t really watch movies or TV.

(Also that A Tribe Called Quest scene got me into hip-hop, which is so embarrassing but nevertheless it’s true.)

#station eleven #mackenzie davis #also unfortunately I must repeat...mackenzie davis #she's real good

[steampoweredstarsketch]

Narratives

A Poem By Kellie Bridges

(kbridge00)

I wrote this awhile ago and got a college award for it. I decided to post it for Pride 2022, just in case anybody else is struggling with keeping it together, trying to combat depression, anxiety, or self doubt. Or just trying to accept yourself as you are, and forgive yourself for things that happened you can't change. I hope this can help someone out there.

_________________

Between the inequities of me

And the visage that they see

Is an ocean of words and voices

Screaming and talking over one another

Saying truth and lies

As long as it is hurtful

Tearing into me this great divide.

Until I cannot tell the difference

Between what is truth

And what is fiction,

The water stirring to

Swallow me whole,

Centrifugal forces pulling hope

Away from me in a whirlwind

Spinning in an attempt to

Tear me apart.

I look up and nod

Smile at my boss

As she berates me

For all I have and

Haven’t done wrong.

I smile and nod

As I am asked

“How is your day?”

And I reply “It’s going fine!”

As I swallow back my tears

And try not to cry

So that no one will see

That it hurts me.

I smile as the society I’m in

Instructs me to

“Fake it till I make it,”

And then asks me

Why I can’t keep up.

Fueling and fueling the

Greasefire, giving

Ammunition to the voices

That cut and criticize, and say

I’ll never be enough.

Exhausted to the point a

Once energetic & opinionated

Person keeps her head down

And says nothing

In an attempt to rob that

Ocean of its ammunition,

And in turn that ocean robs

Me of my strength, joy, and

Ambition.

Shaking, backed into a corner

Trapped in fear like a

Battered wife, living with an

Abuser she cannot divorce

Because he lives in her.

So I say nothing, because

My feelings are a burden

Causing worry or misunderstandings

That hurt worse than the silence,

I say nothing, refusing to whine

About my “petty problems.”

But If I could speak.

If I could speak.

I would tell my younger self

And so many others like me

I would grab them and tell them

“Your feelings matter & your

Problems aren’t petty!”

That that is the truth.

Make that truth the raft

You cling to when reality is

Gaslighted away.

The truth, the truth that

The struggles you face

Are so important, no matter

How small, even when the voices

Say that they aren’t,

I know you’re so scared and alone

Right now, but the reality is

That you’re not.

The silence you keep

Is your only prison &

You have control of

The key.

The key is talking about it

The key is asking for help

The key is the courage to admit

To yourself you are drowning

But being strong enough to say

I am going to pull myself out,

Even if I don’t know how.

In a world where you would

Rather die than cry in public &

Cause discomfort to another

And humiliate yourself.

Bear your tears proudly and say

This time I do not apologise

I don’t care

I’m having a hard time right now

That’s not your fault

But I refuse to silence my pain

For the convenience of another

Any longer because,

That’s not fair.

The face you see that smiles

The jokes I make to direct

Your attention away from

The pain that I face,

Raise your voice and say

I am not okay.

I’m being rent asunder.

Because I cannot bear to

Look in the eyes of my

Brother, Father, Sibling, my Mother

When there is a lapse in my

Facade and they ask me,

“Who is hurting you?”

“Who is to blame?”

“Who can we punish to

Take away your shame?!”

And then I see the pain &

Helplessness in their eyes when

I say my own name…

It’s so hard to try,

It hurts so badly to fail…

But when you face the

Times you’re lost and alone

Please god take off the mask

And empty your chest you carry

So full to bursting

With piercing lies & helpless truths

You tell yourself to hurt you.

You deserve to lighten that load &

To never have to bear it alone.

So the next time my

Boss tells me I’m not enough,

That I am too sensitive,

Too soft to do this job,

I will say maybe it’s you

That needs to be made of

Some stronger stuff.

Because hurricane

After hurricane

I come everyday

Against a tidal wave of

Conflicting thoughts & odds

I face the barrage and say

“I am strong enough

To make it through today.”

----

On the stage we smile &

Act out the part

We’re trained to play

Whilst behind the curtains

Monsters rage.

Have the strength to

Part the velvet

Step away from the pedestal

And scream out that

You are chained.

Scream!

That this figure

You see is not me,

Or the person I want to be,

These are merely the traits

I am allowed,

By this creature

To which I’m bound.

Ours is a secret narrative,

The kind of scar

You don’t see on an arm

Or get from a bully after school.

But don’t get me wrong,

Just because the harassment

Is in my head, doesn’t

Change the fact that it’s

Self-harm.

My dominant narrative is

The face that blurts out

Stupid things far too loud

Then gets misunderstood

And I can’t retrieve them.

Mine is the face

Petrified, tears in my eyes

Overwhelmed over

Conflict and intimidation.

Gagged by my tears,

I falter, in the face

Of my fears

Unable to speak out

Due to the hands

Covering my mouth-

As the monsters in my head

Tear me apart for my doubt.

The narrative seen on the surface-

A useless child with no purpose

Blank faced, & hollow headed

Incompetent, & absent minded.

Born with a thin skin, &

No common sense.

A child, over-zealous & impulsive

With no motivation or organization

An annoyance, whose imperfections

Chase away anyone who might

Want to get close.

The narrative they don’t see,

Is the painter & the poet,

The musician with a vision

So beautiful, they don’t know,

Is the person that I want to be

The kind that lifts others up &

Tells them, you are beautiful,

That you are so important

That you can be whatever you

Want to be,

And most of all, that

You deserve to know peace.

-----

Today instead I decide

To be braver than my divide

Gathering the strength to

Hit send on this message &

Even stronger not to

Run away after.

In the hopes that my words could

Empower others to reach

For the keys to their shackles &

Fight back oceans of their own.

Today I say I’m not crazy

That this chaos I’m

Experiencing isn’t just delusion.

That my thoughts & feelings

Have meaning, that I will

Never again mistake this

Leviathan as just confusion.

Today I say the narrative that

I’m struggling but I’m not crazy

I am self-depreciative but

I’m amazing.

That I may be my greatest enemy

But I am not alone.

I am slow but I’m not stupid

I can be clueless but not useless

I can hesitate or be impulsive

But I am worthy of being loved.

----

So I say to those who stand

In my stead,

Hear those voices in your head,

Believe fervently in mind and

Heart,

Know, you contradict them.

On your weakest days

When they weigh you down

Know, they only exist to hurt you,

They do not always correlate to

Actual facts, faults, or virtues.

You are not broken, a mistake

Nor stain, you are a

Human being with a heart

Mind and brains, with

Strengths and weaknesses

All your own,

So please, god, believe me

When I say that,

You are not alone.

Believe that you are

In control

You have the keys to your

Prison and when the

Tidal wave calls out & says

That it isn’t-

True, call them out

Because you know that

They are wrong.

Know truly, there is

Strength in numbers

And if we stand together

We can shout so much

Louder than the voices

That surround us

Together we can remember

That we matter, that we’re real,

That we have the power, and we

Deserve to feel good.

To love ourselves just like

Any other, without

Fear, apology, or sarcasm.

Know it’s okay to hit

Rock bottom

To lose one day but

Win another

Because you are walking

Against a tempest gale

Whose winds can

Knock you down.

Just, do not surrender.

That alone makes you stronger

Than you could possibly imagine

Despite the fact they make you feel

Like it’s not.

That pain you feel

Is real and just like

A cut or broken arm

You need help & tools

To heal.

We are worth effort

We are made strong to

Endure & even though

There’s no certainty or

Cure, we are the

Captains steering our

Ships, with the ability

To navigate toward clearer

Waters.

We deserve to not

Live in fear, any longer.

#pride 2022 #slam poem #poetry #lgbtq #personal growth #kbridgeart #my poems #kbridge00 #in myself i am found #in myself i am free

[rainsweptroof]

Raft at Kitch-iti-kipi

Summer 2021

#photography #original photography #original photographers #original photographer #nature #michigan #upper peninsula #summer in Michigan #kitch iti kipi #someone on another post asked about the raft

[themculibrary]

Wanda Maximoff Needs A Hug Masterlist

8 Bullets (ao3) - xocean G, 5k

Summary: She loves her brother. Her brother is dead.

A Colored Life (ao3) - KurayamiNeko wanda/darcy G, 22k

Summary: Wanda breaks apart, but someone comes along to help her back together.

both gone, neither buried (ao3) - soil_to_stars N/R, 1k

Summary: It’s strange, she thinks, for two to come into the world together yet leave it separately. For her, as half of a whole, to leave it completely empty.

found (but not for us) (ao3) - rainbowtie32 wanda/vision T, 1k

Summary: It had been only a matter of days since Vision had kissed Wanda and asked her to stay, and yet she was told it was five years. ... “Tony was your father, right?” She asked, rolling her head to the side so her cheek pressed against the cool brick.

“I- yeah- something like that,” he stuttered.

OR,

At Tony's funeral, Wanda is on the verge of a breakdown. Peter interrupts.

I have this breath and I hold it tight (ao3) - 100indecisions T, 3k

Summary: Steve finally goes to Wanda’s tiny room and taps on the doorframe, although it’s hardly necessary, with the slightly warped floorboards creaking under his feet. “Hey,” he says. “Got a minute?”

Wanda's been a little withdrawn since Steve broke everyone out of the Raft. She's had a lot to think about.

i'll always look best in your head (ao3) - ghoultown wanda/vision T, 308k

Summary: “I’ve been searching for half the day for an indication of humanity and life within myself, but there seems to not be any.” He folds his arms over his chest, defeated, “All of humanity seems so probable, so able to change and communicate and connect and live. So possible. And I just feel so...“

“Impossible?” Bruce points to the screen.

Vision follows his finger. He reads the words at the top, large and bold and simple, feeling his body lurch forward to get closer.

The Impossible Man by Wanda Maximoff.

Vision doesn't have a heart, but he could swear he feels his pulse quicken.

-

Wanda has begun to write a story about a man who cannot exist. Vision is searching for an explanation as to who he is. They seem to meet in the middle.

it's always have and never hold (you've begun to feel like home) (ao3) - remaininganon wanda/natasha G, 3k

Summary: And in that moment, everything clicks. She understands. Because he had taken everything from her.

My take on what was going on in Wanda's mind during the Endgame battle, plus some post-battle scenes that I desperately needed.

Lovely To Finally Meet You (ao3) - Robertdoc T, 10k

Summary: Though Agnes - Agatha Harkness - has revealed herself, she's not done messing with Wanda's mind yet. Not through mind control, but through more painful reminders of what Wanda allowed to happen in Westview, gaslighting her into believing she's exactly the kind of person who would let it happen, and offers to stay in Westview forever that Wanda can't convince herself she should turn down anymore.

Until a blast from a familiar, suddenly rebuilt object brings back a memory of what she really did right before the Hex formed, who she really tried to be even at the lowest point of her life - and who she's finally ready to introduce Agatha to now. But even that may not be enough.

Another attempt at a Wanda character study that doubles as a wish fulfillment/theory for future episodes, tries to explain the still unexplained trailer snippets left, and seeks to give Wanda a real chance to heal and remember she's not just another all powerful woman who went unstable from grief - in case the show forgets to really try in the little time left it gave itself.

More than what they did to us (ao3) - Ryan_Sky G, 5k

Summary: Don’t let a witch get on your ship, you will end up having strange nightmares and a deep conversation about your respective traumatic pasts instead of sleeping.

Or, Wanda and Rocket share a talk about being a lab rat

name one hero who was happy (ao3) - soil_to_stars N/R, 1k

Summary: She’d drawn a mountain once for school. Her name had been written in the corner. It’s gone now, lost in the fire, because whatever her name touches is already gone. Everything her name touches, burns. 

People need Synthezoids (ao3) - bitchjerkwings wanda/vision N/R, 1k

Summary: a one-shot where vision comforts wanda.

She Used To Be Mine (ao3) - Anonymous T, 5k

Summary: "It's a troubling dichotomy in her mind — too dangerous to be around people, too self destructive to be in solitude."

Or — Wanda doesn't know how to be herself anymore. She doesn't know if she can be. All she knows is she can't be alone anymore.

So she calls Clint.

we keep all the hurt you never know (ao3) - Kapua T, 4k

Summary: Her upper lip curls back in a snarl, eyes gleaming wounded-animal bright as a dark wind blows around them. Everyone has been so terrified of her destroying the world for so long now. This is who they have claimed her to be all along; all she is doing is giving them exactly what they always claimed she would, and she can't deny that there is some twisted satisfaction in it.

-

Or: Rubble isn’t exactly a theme you want to see pop up across your lifetime, but it is perhaps the most consistent thing that Wanda has ever known.

what is grief, if not love persevering? (ao3) - hunkahulkaaburningfudge wanda/vision G, 63k

Summary: The Avengers watch their future.

A WandaVision watch-it fic.

you'll be alright, no one can hurt you now (ao3) strawberriesinmoominvalley clint/natasha T, 14k

Summary: The first day was awkward.

Dealing with ex-HYDRA kids was not Natasha’s first rodeo. She’d helped Peter - hell, she’d been brought up in the Red Room. She understood how fucked up things like that could make you. But Pietro and Wanda were different to Peter - they were avoidant to touch, checking for exits in every room they entered.

OR wanda and pietro learn they finally have a home, and are loved. the farm family gains two new members

#themculibrary #marvel #mcu #masterlists #wanda maximoff #wanda needs a hug #wanda needs a hug masterlist #angst

[feriowind]

i wrote up a whooole feral luffy AU bit on twitter last night so am posting it here too (slightly cleaned up) hahaha

Feral luffy AU where the basis is that Luffy is the one who, somehow, set sail the day the celestial dragons arrived and had his boat shot down. 

 He's considerably further out to sea when this happens, and when he falls into the water, he's swept away by a strange ocean current. He winds up on a deserted island surrounded by the same strange currents and it keeps him stranded. 

 Ace and Sabo are devastated by the loss of Luffy, as is Garp, Makino, Dadan and the bandits, and later on Dragon and Shanks when they find out, attempts are made to locate Luffy's body but they never find him, the assumption that he sank too far out into the ocean due to his devil fruit. Ace & Sabo grow up significantly less cheerful without Luffy's presence, but their bond to one another is as strong as ever.

 Sabo fakes his death after begging Garp for help, anything to throw off his family from ever finding him again. Garp agrees because his hatred of certain nobility has grown significantly after Luffy's "death", and he can't stand the thought of losing another grandson.

 Luffy meanwhile, adapts as best he can. Surviving in this new jungle is painful, but doable despite the constant near brushes with death. The true hardship is how lonely he is without his brothers. Luffy has always thrived in the company of others, and without any he struggles, but again, Luffy adapts. 

 He manages to befriend some of the animals in the jungle, and accidentally discovers conqueror's haki when he nearly loses his hat to a predator, his one link to something beyond this island.

 The animals can't replace his brothers, but they ward off the loneliness. Throughout this time, Luffy makes multiple attempts to sail off the island with handmade rafts. Craftsmanship has never been his strong suit however, so they crumble instantly in the harsh currents.

 Perhaps due to luck, the currents always wash him back ashore instead of allowing him to sink and drown. Luffy's speech also slowly degrades over time. As much as he loves talking to his animal friends, the inability to hear someone else speak causes his words to slur and distort

 Ace and Sabo still hold true to their promise to set sail at age 17, but decide that they want to sail together instead of separating. When they finally set sail, they decide to take their time getting to the Grandline, exploring more of the East Blue at a leisurely pace.

After roughly a week of sailing, they get caught in a freak storm and are swept away by a giant wave where they too end up caught in the same strange current that stole Luffy all those years ago. The two wind up unconscious on Luffy's island, where Luffy finds them on the beach.

Luffy doesn't recognize them however, only that wow! For the first time since he arrived, there are other humans on the island with him that are alive! It's an exciting occurrence, and Luffy drags their bodies to the jungle where the tide won't reach.

When poking and prodding don't wake the two, Luffy sets off to gather food for his guests. He still remembers how tired and hungry he was when he first washed ashore, and figures they'd feel the same. As Luffy comes back, Ace wakes up in a panic.

Luffy rushes Ace in excitement and babbles. It's nearly incomprehensible to Ace however, especially in his panicked just-woken hazy-brained state. All Ace wants is to know where Sabo is and where this place is, and pushes Luffy away.

That's when Ace notices Sabo is lying just a few feet away asleep. The tension leaves him immediately and he's able to actually pay attention to the stranger trying to talk to him. 

Luffy is young and shorter than what he would have been had he been able to grow up on Dawn Island. His hair is long, wild and tangled, and he's dressed in furs and leathers. As Ace is studying him, he asks if he's the one who saved him and Sabo. 

For a moment Luffy stares silent, mind untangling the words until they make sense, and then he nods exuberantly. He tries to explain that he found them unconscious on the beach along with their boat, but Ace can barely decipher Luffy's speech. It sounds like someone speaking with a heavy accent at lightning speed.

But it’s then Ace notices the faint scar under Luffy's eye, and the strawhat hanging off his back. That in combination with Luffy's excited movements and speech sets off confusing alarms in his head.

Luffy's dead, Ace knows this, but he forces this strange kid to calm down and asks for his name. Again it takes a moment for Luffy to understand, and he replies. There's that same strange lilt to his words, but it's clear. Monkey D. Luffy! and it's said with a wide, proud grin.

Ace's world tilts then. Luffy? MONKEY D. LUFFY? His brain feels like its shorting out, refusing to register this new bit of information. He thinks he chokes a reply of some kind, but his mind feels blank. Luffy only laughs, not noticing Ace's shock.

In broken speech he asks for Ace's name too, but Ace doesn't hear his question, can only stare at Luffy's face. It can't be Luffy, he thinks. Because if it is... IF IT IS... They're only roughly a week's sail from Dawn Island. Just 7 days.

Is this boy trying to tell Ace that Luffy, in these past 7 years, was only a 7 days boat ride away? And they simply didn't look hard enough? He was here all alone while Ace and Sabo moved on? Ace's heart feels like it's constricting as his vision tunnels in on Luffy.

Luffy's finally noticed that this stranger is looking pale and ill, and pats him in worry. Is he sick? Does he need food? Are you okay, he asks. Ace grabs Luffy's arm then and stares at him with a strange expression. Luffy, it's me, he says, voice shaking. Ace.

Luffy's brows furrow in confusion and he tilts his head. Ace repeats himself, voice growing stronger. I'm Ace! he exclaims, and waits (prays) to see the light of recognition in Luffy's eyes.

Luffy mouths Ace's words silently to himself with frown. Ace? ...ACE! Luffy suddenly leaps towards Ace, landing directly on his chest and crushing him against a tree. He's directly on him and he's got Ace's head clasped roughly between his hands as he stares at his face intently

Ace? Luffy asks out loud, and starts repeating it over and over as he studies Ace's face. Luffy's grip is stronger than expected but Ace manages to give a jerky nod. The piercing stare breaks and Luffy's eyes water. ACE! he cries out in joy and it's the only word he can say.

Luffy wildly paws at Ace's face, then shoulders and arms, as if trying to make sure he's really there, and he's laughing and crying all at once. He then suddenly turns to Sabo on the ground and starts patting his body. He looks up at Ace with a hopeful smile and asks, Sabo?

Ace chokes back a sob because oh. OH. It's really Luffy! He was here this whole time and they never knew! Why hadn't they just looked HARDER? Luffy meanwhile crows in joy and triumph that BOTH his brothers are here with him. 

Ace gets down next to Sabo and starts violently shaking him. Wake up WAKE UP, how can he be SLEEPING when the greatest thing they thought they had lost was BACK. Sabo groans awake and is greeted by the pained teary face of Ace and an equally teary, but grinning stranger

 the shock of the scene jolts Sabo upright and he asks what's wrong? What happened? Ace just points to the boy beside him. It's Luffy, he says through clenched teeth, as if he were trying his best to stave off a breakdown. Huh? Sabo replies, what about Luffy?

 it's LUFFY, Ace grits out again, and this time Luffy chimes in with a cheery, Sabo! and leans in close to his face. Sabo is still confused and Ace nearly snarls in frustration. Luffy's ALIVE, Ace growls, and Luffy laughs. Sabo stares at Luffy and understanding slowly dawns.

 Luffy? he asks in disbelief, and Luffy nods excitedly before crowding in Sabo's face even more. Sabo! Luffy says with a smile and starts repeating his name like he had done with Ace earlier. Sabo, Luffy's been here this whole time, Ace says in a pained whisper.

 This whole time? And the same realization that Ace had grows in Sabo. Luffy, you've been here, all alone...? And we were so close? Sabo's body moves and wraps Luffy's body in a bone crushing hug. Luffy, I- we didn't know! Sabo stammers but it sounds like a terrible excuse.

 Guilt is devouring both Ace and Sabo but Luffy is only smiling. He's overjoyed that his brothers are here, and with their help he can definitely get off this island now! Things do work out!

 We have to go back to Dawn Island, Sabo says suddenly. We need to take Luffy home and we- we gotta tell Gramps! And Dadan and Makino! Luffy's okay! He's okay! And it's like a dam breaks and Sabo is the first one to break down into a full-body sob.

 Luffy gives a cry of dismay and does his best to comfort Sabo. Ace gives in and wraps both Luffy and Sabo in a hug. Both older brothers are whispering apologies to Luffy responds with just wrapping his arms several times around them both in one of his infamous rubbery hugs.

 like luffy had tried to explain earlier, the brothers' ship is beached on the coast and, surprisingly, only suffering a few minor scuffs. their departure is fairly swift, only waiting for the ideal weather after gathering some supplies and luffy's scant belongings

 Perhaps one or two of Luffy's animal friends joins them, but regardless, with the help of a 3 man crew, a sturdy ship, and an actual navigator, Luffy finally escapes the island, and the 3 brothers head home.

 Now all Ace and Sabo have to worry about is helping Luffy readjust to human civilization........

#one piece #feral luffy AU #art #i can only bring myself to write these weird long winded half summary half fic things lol #monkey d. luffy

[modernmagdalene]

Saint and Crystal Associations Part 2

Once again, I’m posting this as a potential resource for other Christian witches or Christian mystics (whatever you call yourself). These are my own personal associations, not official associations of any Christian denominations, so if they don’t feel right for you feel free to use different crystals with different saints. Thanks and enjoy.

Saint Francis of Assisi --> Amber

Francis is best associated with Amber. While not technically a crystal it still is used in a lot of crystal magic. Francis is a very complex saint who helps with a lot of different things: voluntary poverty, helping the poor, antiwar, and oneness with nature. Amber is very old and connected deeply to the earth. It helps with grounding, clarity, patience, wisdom, dissolves negativity, eliminates fear, and balances emotions. All things Francis needed to leave his life of privilege behind and follow God. I think it represents much of who Francis is and can help support the same virtues that Francis represents. 

Saint Brigid --> Opal

St. Brigid would be associated with Opal. Brigid is a saint that is very connected to the goddess Brigid. Their stories are extremely intertwined that you can’t really talk about without the other. Both are connected to fire, love, and hope and that’s all things Opal is connected with as well. I also personally tend to associate Opal with the divine feminine and Brigid connection to a goddess makes that work as well.

Saint Julian of Norwich --> Moonstone

Julian of Norwich I said in a comment that I associated with Lapis Lazuli but then relaized I was already using that crystal with St. Perpetua and Felicity. So I did some more research and decided that Moonstone would work really well for Saint Julian of Norwich. Moonstone is obviously associated with Lunar magick and the moon is also regularly associated with femimine energy. Which works wonders with St. Julian who often depicted God as femimine. One of the things that made her contraversal. St. Julian of Norwich had visions and was a prolific writer. Moonstone helps those seeking wisdom and strengthens psychic abilities. St. Julian of Norwich is also a known cat lover so have moonstone carved into the shape of a cat is even better. 

Saint Mary MacKillop --> Obsidian

(Trigger Warning Mentions of sexual abuse in this.)

Mary MacKillop is the first saint of Australia and one of my favorites! Mary MacKillop reported a priest who was abusing children and not longer after a friend of this priest used his connections to get her excommunicated. Her excommunication was eventually lifted. I have always admired her strength and resilience. That’s why I chose obsidian for her. Obsidian shines a light on the negativity and clears it away, helping us to choose the path leading towards light and love. It is also a protective stone as it used to be used for weapons. If you need to fight the devil obsidian is up there with tourmaline as an excellent crystal to clean house.     

Saint Raphael the Archangel --> Ametrine

St. Raphael the Archangel is another favorite of mine. If you use a Protestant Bible you might not have read about him. Raphael is featured in the Book of Tobit which is only in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles. The Book of Tobit is an epic love story between Tobias and Sarah that also features thievery, exile, and fights with demons. Where Michael and Gabriel tend to appear to humans briefly then leave. Raphael, disguised as a human, travels with Tobias throughout the whole book. Raphael is most associated with healing and I connect him to the crystal ametrine. Ametrine is associated with healing, harmony, strength, balancing physical and spiritual life, and aids in contacting spirit guides. This works with Raphael’s connections to healing. Furthermore, Raphael’s role guiding Tobit and being a spiritual being working on earth makes ametrine perfect in helping to connect with him. Use this stone and ask him to help find balance in your practice and assist you with finding spiritual guides.

Saint Rita --> Smoky Quartz

St. Rita is the patron saint of impossible tasks. She is someone I rely on when I really need to overcome an obstacle or problem in my life. She is also prayed to when someone has a deadly illness or serious problem helping with things that seem impossible to deal with is just her jam. Because of this I associate her most with smoky quartz. This crystal is super powerful and is a great grounding and balancing stone. It absorbs negative energy like a sponge (because of this it should be cleansed often-ish use your best judgement). It’s so useful and can even cleanse other crystals. It keeps all the negativity away from you which is something that one really needs when dealing with impossible situations.

Saint Mary Magdalene --> Celestite

Mary Magdalene is one of my favorite witchy women in the Bible. She wasn’t scared away like the other disciples when Christ was crucified, she was the first to preach about the resurrection, and was active in preaching and teaching others about Christ. One of my favorite stories about her comes from the Orthodox tradition where she was preaching to Emperor Tiberius Caesar about Christ and turned an egg red to prove to the emperor that Christ’s story and power was true. I associate Mary Magdalene most with Celestite. Celestite raises spiritual vibrations, promotes spiritual growth, and aides in communication with the spiritual realm. This crystal also boosts self-worth and self-expression, all things Mary Magdalene had in abundance. Mary Magdalene also seems to be the most connected to the spiritual world out of all the apostles (with the exception of maybe John) so this crystal is perfect for her.

Saint Joan of Arc --> Bloodstone 

St. Joan is a warrior and protector. I also consider her a trans and/or genderfluid saint who will naturally protect trans and genderfluid peoples. Because of this I associate her most with bloodstone. Bloodstone promotes justice and strength, it is also good for healing and renewal, but bloodstone is probably best known for boosting spells and banishing spirits. Or as I prefer to use it, boosting protection spells and banishing TERFs.

Saint Francis de Sales --> Kyanite

St. Francis de Sales is one of my favorite saints purely because he is the patron saint of writers and I am someone who greatly enjoys writing. Kyanite is the crystal I use with this saint. It promotes creativity and also dispels negativity aka those negative thoughts that tell you that you can’t write. It’s also supposed to sharpen your focus which can be especially helpful with writing or any creative work, especially if you are easily distracted like me.

Saint Anthony of Padua --> Amazonite

St. Anthony was one of my grandmother’s favorite saints and probably the saint I use the most in day to day life. He is the patron saint of lost items. He was a devout priest and taught students from a book of psalms. He once tried to preach to people who refused to listen to him. He instead decided to preach to the fish who all started to gather near the shore to listen to him. When people saw this they decided they should listen too. So you know when in doubt preach to fish I guess. Anyway, I associate St. Anthony with amazonite. Amazonite helps sharpen the mind, aids communication and promotes good luck all of which are great attributes for learning and teaching, finding lost items (that’s the good luck bit), and aiding communication could help you talk to people or fish, your call. 

Saint Valentine --> Rose Quartz 

St. Valentine did a lot but he is most associated today with marrying couples in the Christian church during the height of Roman persecution. So naturally I associate him with rose quartz, a crystal that promotes love and fertility, dispels loneliness, opens the heart to compassion, and even strengthens faith. The perfect stone for this romantic saint. 

Saint Scholastica --> Citrine 

St. Scholastica was the twin sister of St. Benedict, and was the founder of the women’s benedictine order. As someone who went to a benedictine college I have a fondness for her. If you are a storm witch in particular I think this might be the saint for you. At one point Benedict and his monks visit Scholastica and her nuns. Scholastica didn’t think she would live long enough to see her brother again after this meeting so begged him to stay the night, but Benedict didn’t want to spend the night outside his monastery and told her he couldn’t. So Scholastica prayed and a massive thunderstorm suddenly came making it unsafe for Benedict and his monks to travel. And here is my favorite bit:

“Realizing what had happened, Benedict reproached her: "What have you done, my sister?” Scholastica answered simply, "I asked a favor of you, and you refused to listen to me. So I asked my God, and He, more generous than you, granted my request.” Once again Scholastica’s pleas won the favor she was seeking.” 

With Scholastica I associate the crystal citrine. Citrine is all about manifesting change, protection, creativity, and success all things she needed to live the life she did.

Saint Dymphna --> Blue Lace Agate

St. Dymphna is one of my favorite saints and she is one I utilize often. She is most associated with mental and emotional illnesses. If you are a spoonie witch this is the saint for you. Because of this I associate her most with Blue Lace Agate, which helps people express themselves (helpful when going to therapy or a doctor) and also helps with dealing with any sorts of fears or anxiety. (Reminder: That utilizing this saint and crystal is meant as a prayerful way to ask for help dealing with mental and emotional illness. It is not a replacement for therapy or meds.)

St. Sara-la-Kali --> Jasper

St. Sara-la-Kali is the patroness of the Romani people. She is said to have helped the Three Marys of the Bible arrive safely in Gaul after she had a vision of them arriving. She used her dress as a raft and helped the women get to shore despite the tumultuous waves. She was also extremely generous and often collected alms for the poor. I associate her most with jasper. A crystal native to Romania it aids in peace and wisdom and also is particularly helpful during times of transition by providing stability and protection. It also supports perseverance and acceptance, something we definitely need Sara's help with right now.

#christian witch #catholic witch #christian mysticism #crystals #saints #crystal witch #witchcraft

[dynamicduoofstackie]

I’m curious why SamBucky is so rare-ish in these streets when it comes to pairing Bucky with an MCU character? I get it, I get it, with the Stucky ‘end of the line’; we been teaming up since the comic book days spiel. I personally see Bucky and Steve as brothers after Captain America: The Winter Soldier cause it felt like Bucky was ready to adopt Steve after his mother, who was his only remaining family, died.

That’s me. I know everyone not going to see it in that light. But Bucky gives me big brother vibes whenever he has to save pipsqueak Steve in the MCU. Plus the original comics had Bucky as an adorable, little sidekick that would make you think reverse big brother and little brother, with Steve being the big brother and Bucky the little brother. I don’t read the comics so it might just me. No offense. 

Is it really about the, Steve knew him longer thing? I mean other than possibly Natasha in the comics, Bucky has no clearly defined MCU love interests. Bucky was a flirt before he met Sarah Wilson, so him being able to flirt, just proves he’s coming into his own. I’m not saying he doesn’t like Sarah that way. But he also flirted with Peggy in the first Captain America movie because he’s a lady killer and was more than willing to take the two girls off Steve’s hand at the Stark Expo when Steve floundered. Steve/Tony I sorta get with the enemies to lover trope. The Bucky x Clint thing is really mind-boggling to me because there were no interaction between them in the MCU; so something must have happened in the comics. So okay... But the fact that Sam had more interaction with Bucky in the MCU and had a whole comic book series with him and Bucky shouldn’t have the ships OF SamBucky and Sam x Clint at a 700+ fanfic difference. Fandoms are so weird sometimes... anyway...

Sam and Steve are the only ones in the MCU who really interact with Bucky outside the strong and beautiful people of Wakanda. None of the Wakandians seem interested in Bucky, except in maybe a familial way. Like they found a stray cat, nursed and raised it; but the cat is still an outdoor cat that might visit from time to time, but is mostly out there doing its on thing. Just the feeling I get with how comfortable Bucky was interacting with Princess Shuri and/or the Dora Milaje. They respect him, fixed him, and let Bucky roam free.

Steve is somewhere on the moon or wherever, in The Falcon and Winter Soldier tv series and Sam is the only one willing to stay in contact with Bucky. Shoot in Endgame only Sam and Steve were Bucky’s only people because Steve protecting Bucky caused a rift between the Avengers. It was repaired, but Team Iron Man doesn’t know Bucky at all, and/or don’t seem interested. Team Captain America are either dead (Natasha), being with their family (Clint and Scott), or dealing with their own shit (Steve and Wanda). So that leaves Sam. That’s really no coincidence even though I’ll admit, Steve going to a support group to more Peggy instead of his two best friends that were recently missing was kind of shitty.

So again, getting back on track, why isn’t their more Sambucky love? We already know Stucky is default most popular in the fandom for Bucky pairing. But Sam, who has the enemies turn friends aspect about him and has been the only one, besides Steve, who openly tried to find Bucky. I mean what better love story is it for a man who went from thinking Bucky would be better off dead, to suddenly sacrificing his 9 to 5 and freedom to search for Bucky and help him escape the airport in Germany?

I mean SamBucky is one of the few ships that has a foundation of amazing content from Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan’s interactions with each other. Mackie and Sebastian literally went from play pretending like they couldn’t stand each other, to damn near needing someone to chaperone them in their interviews because they so random shit, flirt and love to be close. Sebastian has talked about Mackie more than any costar and Mackie has a wonderful knack for finding Sebastian on any red carpet event to compliment the hell out of him. They literally had a show created for the two characters because of that amazing chemistry and Sebastian even co-signed on it with this gem below.

The MCU was throwing Bucky and Sam together over and over again, way before they got their own tv series. They argued together, fought each other, tried to one up each other by ripping wings and dropkicking from the air. Even in the television show big-hearted Sam willingly allows Bucky to go on a top secret government mission with him. Checks in on him constantly to make sure he’s okay. The only one that defends Bucky against people like Zemo, Sharon and John Walker. 

Sam really was the one person that helped put most of Bucky’s demons to rest in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. He gave him the tough love he needed in the end. He gave him purpose. He teased him like he was a normal person and not a former, brain-washed assassin. Sam watched over Bucky because he wanted to. Steve never asked him to check on Bucky. Steve never asked Sam to help him find Bucky. Steve never asked for Sam to sacrifice his freedom and go to the raft just so Bucky and Steve could escape in the airport. Sam volunteered to do that all on his own because he saw how worthy Bucky was. 

Why else would Sam have him on a top government mission? Why else would he try to bail out Bucky from jail or follow Steve and Bucky against his Avenger allies? Why else would he let Bucky talk him into let Zemo go? Or any of the other insane things they did together, unless he didn’t care? 

And that’s what Bucky needs, someone to give a damn about him. Someone to text him and chase after him. Someone to defend him and remind him that he’s not the Winter Soldier anymore. Someone to offer him a place to stay and normalcy. Someone who isn’t afraid to introduce to his family or watch his six in a battle. Someone touch him because he knows Bucky’s been touch-starved or tease him because he’s not afraid to be next to him. 

Sam knows this Bucky. The Bucky who was determined to give the Shield to Sam. The Bucky who dangled kids off his arm while talking to Sam’s sister. The Bucky who has trouble sleeping at night because he still has demons. The Bucky who tried to kill him because he didn’t have control of his own body The Bucky who was just as broken as Sam when Steve just Peggy over them. The Bucky who is trying to find purpose in a world that has forgotten about him. He doesn’t have to remake himself into the old Bucky for Steve because Sam only knows this Bucky. Bucky doesn’t have to be anybody, but himself around Sam and he is.

I mean maybe people  don’t care to pair Bucky with Sam because he was against saving Bucky the first time; or didn’t pull up the car seat; or didn’t want to jump in believing Bucky after he threw him across the room by his chin; or maybe because Sam’s black... WHO KNOWS. 

I just thought it was odd that the fandom doesn’t respect Anthony Mackie as a whole, too. Like the poor man has to insert himself into interviews with his white costars just to not be pretty arm candy. But that’s another rant for another post. 

#sambucky #stackie #i should be working but this has been bugging me #we are small but mighty #sambucky bretren #i love me some sambucky #Sam x Bucky #bucky x sam #winterfalcon #winter soldier #falcon #i love sambucky #sambucky 4 life #the falcon and the winter soldier #captain america #new captain america #why the hell does bucky x clint have such a high turn out #sam wilson #bucky barnes #mcu fandom is tripping #mcu fandom keep hating on sambucky #anthony mackie #sebastian stan

[nekoannie-chan]

First times

Pairing: Steve Rogers X Reader

Word count: 1648 words.

Summary: A small collection of a few of the first times with Steve.

Warnings: Smut, not very explicit.

A/N: This is my entry to @firefly-in-darkness‘ Movie Challenge with the movie prompt: X-men and “First time ever I say your face” by Roberta Flack.

Thanks to my beta reader @saiyanprincessswanie I love you Missy, you helped me a lot with this one.

My native language is Spanish so I wanna improve my writing skills in English if you notice any mistake, please let me know and I will correct it.

I don’t give any kind of permission that my fics be posted in other platforms or languages (I translate myself my work) or the use of my graphics (my dividers are included in this), I did them exclusively for my fics, please respect my work and don't steal it. There are some people here who make dividers that anyone can use, mine is not this type, please look for the other's people. The only exception is the ones I gifted 'cuz now belong to someone else. If you find any of my works on a different platform and is not one of my accounts, please let me know. Reblogs and comments are always welcome.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Marvel's characters (unfortunately), except for the original characters and the story.

My other media where I publish: Wattpad, Ao3, ffnet.

If you like it, please vote, comment, and give me feedback to improve my skills and reblog.

Tags: @sinceimetyou @navybrat817 @angrythingstarlight  @shield-agent78 @charmed-asylum  @pandaxnienke @real-fbi @smokeandnailz​  @white-wolf1940​ @tenaciousperfectionunknown​ @xoxonotme​ @bluemusickid​ @leyannrae​  @harrysthiccthighss​ @marvelatthisone​

The first time you saw each other

 It had become late in the day as you ran into the X-Mansion. Professor Xavier had asked you to collaborate on a mission with Captain America and the rest of the Avengers.

“I'm so sorry. I fell asleep,” you announced as you entered the room. 

Steve had planned to scold you about how it wasn’t proper to be late for a meeting. However, as soon as he saw you standing before him, he was left speechless. He was completely mesmerized by your beautiful eyes as they locked with his deep blue ones. Your beauty had taken him off guard as his eyes drifted down your body. His heart sped up as he introduced himself to you.

You were in awe as you stared back at Captain Rogers. The well-known Captain was definitely easy on the eyes with a body that was bulging in his suit. Internally you were undressing him, wondering what lies underneath. You cleared your throat to shake the thoughts out of your head and followed him to discuss what was expected of you. During the conversation, you noticed that he refused to look at you as he explained everything. You couldn’t help but feel disappointed by the lack of attention from him. Little did you know Steve was struggling to stay on point with the discussion as his heart had already fallen for you.

The first kiss

 The mission had been successful as you worked together to take down a Hydra base. After securing the prisoners to be transferred to the raft you walked towards the Quinjet with Steve on your heels. As you walked up the ramp of the jet you turned around to speak to him but the words died in your throat. You laughed at seeing Steve’s face covered with dirt and his normally perfect hair was out of place. Who knew this perfect man, that could easily be a model, looks so normal at this moment. 

Steve raised his arm and placed a hand on your cheek. His thumb gently caressed your face and your breath hitched as he looked at you lovingly. You were too close to one other… “Steve?” you asked softly.

His blue eyes never left yours as he smiled at you. "You have something on your...”

You grabbed him by his Captain suit and pulled him into a kiss. Your bodies were close to one another as your tongue ran across his lips seeking out permission to enter. At first, Steve didn’t know how to react but immediately kissed you. His mouth parted as your tongues danced against the other, savoring the moment that you finally gave in to temptation. What a way to celebrate a victory.

The first date

 Today was an exciting day, as you looked yourself over for the last time in the mirror preparing for your date with Steve. The plan was he would pick you up at noon so you could both enjoy a quiet picnic together. A knock on the door pulled you from your thoughts as you giddily made your way to the door. Opening it Steve stood there with a smile on his face.

“Wow, you look beautiful, doll.” His eyes roamed over your figure taking in the beautiful sundress that you wore. 

“Thank you, Steve. I just need to lock up and I’m ready to go.” You grabbed your keys from the table next to the door and locked it. Steve held his arm out for you as you both headed outside to his car. Like a gentleman, he held the door as you got into the vehicle. Quickly he jogged around the car and got in. You looked over to him and smiled as he started the car. “So where are we going?”

The car pulled away from the curb as he started to make his way to the countryside. “That sweetheart is a secret.” You nodded, taking in what he said as the excitement of the unknown coursed through you. 

After a thirty-minute drive, you finally arrived at a park that was surrounded by trees. The both of you got out of the car and grabbed the items that he packed. Steve started to arrange the tablecloth he brought while you held the basket with the food. It was a beautiful area and one that you had never visited before. There was nothing that could ruin the first date and you were sure it would be unforgettable.

"Have you ever flown a kite?"  He asked in between bites of fruit that was laid out before you both.

"No, but it is something I always wanted to try.” You answered as you popped a grape into your mouth. 

To your surprise he took out a colorful kite and took your hand, pulling you to your feet. Steve explained how to fly the kite and even helped you get it soaring high above your head. Both of you were laughing and making conversation as the kite danced in the wind. Life seemed to stand still at that moment.

As the kite came crashing to the ground you realized that an hour had passed. Steve picked up the kite as you both walked hand in hand back to your blanket. As you reached the little area you set up you noticed something unexpected had happened. You were speechless upon seeing that there were rabbits on the blanket eating the food that you both left out. Laughter broke out between you both.

“Well, it looks like someone wanted our snacks more than us,” you chuckled out. 

“Do you want to go to eat somewhere else?” Steve asked as he shooed the rabbits off the blanket. 

"I think that sounds great. Though you have to admit this was funny.” Gathering up everything you both left the park in search of something to eat.

The first time you slept together

 You had both gone on a mission to do surveillance of a terrorist group trying to get their hands on weapons. After you both gathered the information that was needed you had headed back to the safe house to wait for extraction in the morning. It was a small cabin consisting of one bed. 

Steve bit his bottom lip as you dropped your bag on the bed. “Why don’t you take the bed. I can sleep on the floor.” He placed his bag on a small square table as he grabbed his clothes to change into.

You couldn’t help but roll your eyes. “Steve, the bed is big enough for us both. We could both use a bed to sleep on after that mission. Let's just shower and share the bed.” He tried to insist on sleeping on the floor but you wouldn’t hear it. 

After you both showered you, each crawled under the covers. Steve felt extremely shy as he laid next to you in the bed. Sleeping in the same bed with a female was something that was frowned upon in his time if you weren’t married. To break the awkwardness, you rolled over on your side facing him and threw your arm over his chest. Your head rested comfortably against his chest and you could feel yourself slowly start to drift off. Steve wrapped his arm around you, holding you close to him, and placed a kiss on the top of your head.

The first night together

 It began with tender kisses that turned into hungry lips that took the breath out of you. The feeling of his hesitant hands that roamed your body had awakened sensations that you never felt before in your life. Clothes were quickly discarded as you both crawled into bed. Steve was no longer the shy man you knew in your everyday life. Between the sheets, he became confident as he devastated you with his mouth between your legs. By the time you came on his tongue and fingers, your pussy was ready to take him. Steve pushed into your wet slit with ease and slowly took you apart. 

Your moans filled the air as he pulled one orgasm after another from you. Steve was unlike any lover you had in your past as he was more focused on your pleasure than his. By the time your third orgasm was pulled from you, Steve finally chased his end and spilled his seed deep inside you. He pulled out of you, collapsing next to your body. His arm pulled you close and your head rested on his chest. You couldn’t help but smile as he whispered, he wasn’t finished with you yet.

The first "I love you"

 "I don't understand why he asked for all these reports. Professor X just has to say what happened," you complained when you saw Steve come in with the drinks.

"Come on, it's not difficult," he replied, handing you one of the drinks.

"I never said it was difficult, I said it's tedious," you reproached. You wrinkled your nose at the thought of doing paperwork. It was a waste of time in your eyes.

You watched Steve out of the corner of your eye as he moved nervously in his seat. Whenever he wanted to propose something to you, he did that.

"Is something wrong?" you nervously asked.

Steve blushed at your question. Nothing is wrong. I-I just love you," he muttered almost inaudibly.

You spun around to face him. "What did you say?" You weren't sure that you heard him correctly.

He tried to make himself look busy. "It’s nothing...” His eyes looked away from you. 

You walked over to where he stood and gently grabbed his hand. “Say it again.”

Steve’s blue eyes looked into yours as he took a deep breath. "I love you.”

"I love you too.” Tears of joy threatened to fall from your eyes as he pulled you into a kiss. 

#Firefly Movie Inspo #fireflymovieinspo #Steve Rogers #steve rogers x reader #steve rogers x y/n