Gwen Adler

Independent and Original 1940's Inspired Character (Verses in MCU, Peaky Blinders, and other historical fandoms)

[chamberedbeauty]

"ℍ𝕠𝕨 𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕤𝕙𝕖?"    "𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥?"       "𝕍𝕒𝕟𝕚𝕤𝕙."    "𝕀 𝕕𝕠𝕟'𝕥 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨." "𝕋𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕖𝕩𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕤 𝕞𝕪 𝕡𝕠𝕚𝕟𝕥.  ℙ𝕖𝕠𝕡𝕝𝕖 𝕕𝕠𝕟'𝕥 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕕𝕚𝕤𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕖𝕒𝕣 𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕠 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟 𝕒𝕚𝕣."

𝙸𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚂𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝙾𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟷𝟾+ 𝙿𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚁𝚞𝚕𝚎𝚜 𝙱𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝙸𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐

[noahsresources]

in case you didn't know

for muses who need to share some intimate thoughts with one another. can be platonic, romantic, familial ... works with any kind of dynamic really. feel free to change pronouns, descriptor words, whatever you may need!

❝ you know i love and care about you, right? ❞ ❝ ... i guess i'm just scared of losing you. ❞ ❝ i don't like most people, but you're an exception. ❞ ❝ you're not alone. you'll never be alone. not as long as i'm here. ❞ ❝ by your side is where i'm meant to be. ❞ ❝ not one person is more important to me than you. ❞ ❝ i don't know what it is about you, but, you just ... you're the only one who can make me feel like this. ❞ ❝ you're amazing, you know that? ❞ ❝ who has the greatest (friend/brother/sister/sibling/parent/etc) in the world? me, that's who! ❞ ❝ i'm only managing to stand here on my two feet because of you. i made it because of you. ❞ ❝ i don't know how i'm ever going to be able to repay you. ❞ ❝ i know for a fact that you're special. i can feel it. ❞ ❝ you've actually made me feel like a person again, like i'm ... normal. ... thank you. ❞ ❝ i used to think that everyone else was just evil and cynical, guided by their own self-interest. that is, until i met you. ❞ ❝ you truly are too good for this world. ❞ ❝ i'm always blown away by just how talented you are. ❞ ❝ you deserve so much more than what you were given. ❞ ❝ nobody i've ever met has been more gifted than you. ❞ ❝ if you ever need a place to stay, let me know, okay? ❞ ❝ you always feel really comfortable and safe to be around. ❞ ❝ i think i have a new purpose in my life. to be with you. ❞ ❝ you have a kind heart. i know you don't believe me, and you try to hide it behind a facade, but i know for a fact that you do, deep down. ❞ ❝ i think you're probably the only one who understands me. ❞ ❝ you're safe here with me. nobody's going to harm you ever again. ❞ ❝ i don't deserve someone as amazing as you. ❞ ❝ i was kind to you because you looked like you needed a friend. ❞ ❝ i'm never leaving you. you're stuck with me. ❞

[poohsources]

🐝  *  ―  𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐁𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐍  𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄  𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄  𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒.   (  another  part  for  the  trope  memes  i’ve  made  in  the  past,  this  time  centered  around  forbidden  love.  most  of  these  can  probably  be  used  for  angsty  settings.  feel  free  to  adjust  to  better  fit  your  muses.  )

❛  do people always fall in love with things they can’t have ?  ❜ ❛  my heart tells me this is the best and greatest feeling i have ever had. but my mind knows the difference between wanting what you can’t have and wanting what you shouldn’t want. and i shouldn’t want you.  ❜ ❛  you’ll always be mine, in the back of my mind … i’ll look for you first in my next life.  ❜ ❛  we can’t keep seeing each other.  ❜ ❛  i think we’re just gonna have to be secretly in love with each other and leave it at that.  ❜ ❛  how can something so wrong feel so right ?  ❜ ❛  i don’t want to be with anyone else. i only want you. no matter the consequences.  ❜ ❛  life would be much easier if i wasn’t in love with you.  ❜ ❛  i think things that i shouldn’t. i dream things that i shouldn’t. i want things that i shouldn’t and it’s all because of one thing; i do care about you.  ❜ ❛  we can’t choose who we fall in love with.  ❜ ❛  i don’t want to keep our relationship a secret anymore.  ❜ ❛  is it worse to know you want something or that you can never have it ?  ❜ ❛  i promised to stay away from you … but i can’t.  ❜ ❛  having something forbidden is exciting, don’t you agree ?  ❜ ❛  how can you simply be friends with someone when every time you look at them, you’re thinking about how much more you really want ?  ❜ ❛  i shouldn’t want to be with you.  ❜ ❛  you have to promise me to keep this a secret from everyone.  ❜ ❛  i wish i could kiss you right now. but there are too many people watching us here.  ❜ ❛  we can’t keep meeting up like this. someone’s gonna find out, and someone’s gonna get hurt.  ❜ ❛  why do we always want what we can’t have ?  ❜ ❛  i can’t just ignore these feelings i have for you.  ❜ ❛  why do you have to be the one i’ve always been looking for ?  ❜ ❛  i hate this ! i hate that we’ve been put in this situation. i hate that there’s no way out of this. but worst of all, i hate that i love you.  ❜ ❛  you’re my favorite mistake.  ❜ ❛  it’s better to cheat than to think about cheating.  ❜ ❛  we can’t fall in love with each other.  ❜ ❛  you can’t be mine and i can never be yours.  ❜ ❛  if only we’d met sooner …  ❜ ❛  love is still love even if it’s forbidden.  ❜ ❛  i told myself i would never kiss you again. i can never keep my word when you’re involved.  ❜ ❛  i wish i had the strength to stay from you.  ❜ ❛  under different circumstances, our love could’ve been like a fairytale.  ❜ ❛  what if anyone finds out about us ?  ❜ ❛  we just have to believe that we’ll find a way to make this relationship work.  ❜ ❛  can we just pretend for one day that everything is gonna be okay ?  ❜ ❛  we always crave what we can’t have.  ❜ ❛  the more i fall for you, the more i hate myself for falling for you, cause the truth is we can never be together.  ❜ ❛  you and i will always be unfinished business.  ❜ ❛  we can’t be together. not now, not ever.  ❜ ❛  i knew the moment i met you that you’ll turn my life into a complicated mess.  ❜

[promisemvself]

Vanessa Hudgens photographed for “Reminding Me” (2017)

[scealaiscoite]

storm prompts ˗ˏˋ ꒰ 🍊 ꒱

⋆ “you should’ve told me you were afraid of storms.”

⋆ “i can’t sleep either through it either. wanna talk?”

⋆ “calm down, i’m not leaving- i’m just going to grab another blanket.”

⋆ “seriously? you’ve lived here for how many years, and you still can’t find your way around without the lights on?”

⋆ “god, you’re freezing! come here, let me warm you up.”

⋆ “please forget every time i’ve ever been irate with you over your candle collection.”

⋆ “i don’t care if it’s red weather warning outside, if you try and warm your icy little feet on me one more time i’m kicking you out.”

⋆ "don't worry, i won't tell anyone that my big bad partner/roomate/xyz is afraid of a little thunder."

⋆ "shit, is the power out?"

⋆ "was that lightning?! that was definitely lightning, right?"

⋆ "come here, i'll keep you safe. swear."

⋆ "god, please don't choose now to be the time you tell me you're afraid of the dark."

⋆ "you can sleep in my bed, if it'd be of any help."

[loveaffairxc]

He stared vacantly at the ground, occasionally zoning out as she spoke, though he managed to catch the important parts of the conversation. Everything around him felt surreal, as if a fog had descended, casting a grey pall over his world. "Aviation" he replied matter-of-factly to her question.

He looked at her as she spoke about his colleague. It's not fair, but at least with the amputation, the likelihood of him living through this is so much higher, she said, her words echoed in his mind, lingering before gradually fading into a dull ache. All he could see was the pity in her eyes, a tender sorrow that cut deeper than any wound. She tried to comfort him, her hand warm and reassuring on his arm. As she continued to ask him questions, a wave of nausea surged within him, threatening to overwhelm. He swallowed hard, fearing the humiliation of losing control.

He tried to focus, very badly, before he took a deep breath through his nose and sat down on the bed, his hand grabbing at the footboard, his arms tightening. Her questions came out quick, fast, like never-ending background noise to his already chaotic mind.

"Last thing I want to do is talk about Coney f*cking Island, or Manhattan, or Long Island right now" he spat out suddenly, his anger flaring like fire. But it died down just as quickly as it had risen, guilt washing over him. He took a deep sigh and looked at her, the pain on his face evident. "I'm... I'm sorry," he whispered, sincerity in his voice. "I just..." He continued, closing his eyes tightly, just as he tried to focus on his breathing, hoping the nausea would leave him.

[chamberedbeauty]

"An aviation engineer and they put you up in the sky?" Brows crease and a sinking feeling further fills her gut. She wants to press whether or not flying the planes was his idea or the force, but she keeps quiet. Another question for another time maybe.

She continues her work as she rambles on, trying to get him to focus on her- distract him from the reality of what was going on right now- but as it often did, her attempt to help only hindered.

Her jaw tightens at his words, but she doesn't flinch. She doesn't react, instead she watches the color drain from his face and his knuckles gripping at the wooden frame of the bed. Quickly Gwen turns, rushing to the sink and wets a towel with cool water before coming back with a bucket in hand as well.

"You don't have to apologize." The bucket is placed on the floor beside him before her hands move to guide the airman to lay back on the cot. "Just lay down Major....lay down on your side." She's careful of the wound as she helps him lay down, laying the cool rag against his forehead.

"My mother always said I talked too much.....and I know right now a lot of men aren't in the mood to talk- not in a place or time like this. So, I'm the one who should be apologizing to you." She swallows. "I'll speak with your Commander. It's not a good idea for you to fly for the rest of the week. Not with your leg, or what happened to your partner. You'll get you and your men killed. You also need to rest here....in case you get sick and I'd like to keep an eye on the wound. Besides, some extra privacy can't hurt, right? I'll come check on you in a few hours or so. If the pain gets too bad let me know and I'll get you something for it but just try to rest- if you can"

[invademyinbox]

Send me “Hush, go back to sleep.” for my character to fall asleep in your characters arms.

[photografya-deactivated20230917]

[loveaffairxc]

Andrew couldn't believe how casually she'd talked about his partner's need for an amputation, the only way to save his life. The news hit him like a wave of shock, pushing the sting of his burn to the back of his mind. Instead, his thoughts raced with how his partner would cope with this new reality. He stared vacantly at his bandaged leg, watching as the nurse carefully tended to him. Then she reached out to him, her touch gentle but firm.

He held her hand as she introduced herself, but her words sounded muffled, like they were coming from a distance. Gwen. Her name was the only thing that registered. He nodded in acknowledgment as she mentioned hearing great things about him. Known for his precision and bravery, he had earned the respect of his crew and peers. That respect had always meant everything to him, but in that moment, it felt like nothing at all.

As she talked more about her background, he realized how much she was trying to distract him from the news and the searing pain in his leg. He appreciated it, especially with how kind and soft her voice was amid the chaos that still enveloped them. It was only an hour ago when Andrew's heart pounded as he fought to keep the plane steady. Flames licked at the cockpit, and the smell of burning fuel filled the air. Desperate to save his crew, he ordered them to grab extinguishers and fight the blaze. In the chaos, a piece of burning debris fell onto his leg, burning through his flight suit and into his flesh. He winced but focused on the task at hand, determined not to let the pain distract him. His wingman, positioned near the blast, was not as fortunate. The explosion tore through the compartment, striking the bombardier with devastating force. His screams were drowned out by the roar of the engines and the chaos of the battle. Blood soaked the floor as his legs were shredded by the impact. And there he was now, being asked about his background, his ears still ringing with the echoes of battle.

"I was, uh..." He began, his voice a mere whisper, lacking its usual vitality, as if he were struggling to grasp his identity in that moment. "...working at an aircraft manufacturing plant in Long Island," he finally managed to reply in the most monotonous way. "Took night classes in engineering."

He took a deep breath, his thoughts consumed by concern for his partner, Aiden. "Is he really..." He started, his voice barely above a whisper. "Going to lose his..." He couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence. "You can't just..." He struggled to find the words, his voice tinged with desperation. "There must be some other way, something less drastic." // @chamberedbeauty

[chamberedbeauty]

"Engineering huh?" Gwen responds, emphasizing her interest to try and keep the man focused and distracted on something other than his co-pilot- on something other than the war. But that, unfortunately, was nearly impossible, especially after battles like these. "You must be one hell of a pilot if they didn't take a man investing his future in engineering and put him in a spot to do that." And she meant that. She knew Andrew was quite the flyer, knew his rank, but at the end of the day it didn't change the horrifying reality that pilots and other airmen in much more demand than an engineers. Mechanical engineers weren't being shot down from the sky. "What kind of engineering were you interested in?"

The woman frowns slightly, grateful her back was towards him while she discarded the garbage. She wished her ring was on to giver her something to nervously fiddle with, but there was no reason something that beautiful should be tainted with the blood of this war. She'd been tasked in these moments to be harshly truthful. They had their own lives to worry about, their own jobs. This was part of war and the mentality was you carried on- you don't dwell- you fight. But that was where her pledges faltered. Her heart was too strong and at the end of the day, they were humans- not machines.

Slowly Gwen turns back to face him, giving a small shake of her head. "I can't say for sure. Maybe there's an alternative solution that better equipped doctors have in London, but...but you saw him. The risk of infection will already be high, even after the amputation. But it's all but certain if they don't take the legs, and something that serious...it would take a miracle, even with antibiotics, for it not to get in the bloodstream. Infection aside- he would never physically recover. He'd likely never be able to use them again and the amount of pain he'd be in wouldn't be worth the risk."

Her head shakes again, biting her lip. "I'm sorry. I really really am. It's not fair, but at least with the amputation the likelihood of him living through this is so much higher. And that's what matters the most, right?" Her hands reach to pull up the chair next to her to sit down across from him, brown hues pleading as she reaches and gives his forearm a small squeeze.

"You cannot dwell on this. Do you understand me? Because if you do you'll make a mistake. And you can't afford to make a mistake in a time like this, in a place like this.........tell me about home." Her face tries to brighten, her tone lifting as she offers him a smile, desperate to get his mind off of this. "Are you married?" There wasn't a ring on his finger but that meant nothing. Some men flew with them on as a comfort and reminder of something beautiful back in the states. Others took them off, wanting a piece of them to send back to their wives in case they didn't make it back. "Have a girlfriend? Siblings? A dog- you look like someone who'd prefer a dog than a cat." Another smile. "I haven't ventured over into the Long Island area. I studied and lived in Manhattan and typically that's where I stayed put- though don't get me wrong, I love Coney Island."

[chamberedbeauty]

@loveaffairxc

Her family was no stranger to war. Not with her father being one of the many heroes of the first World War and honored in all the ways a decorated war Colonel would be. Both her grandparents served in the Spanish-American War with the same admirable rankings and legend- and her ancestors before. Civil War to the Revolution. There name and pride was upheld.

But there was a difference between reading and hearing about the stories- even seeing pictures was nothing compared to what the young woman had seen after signing up to provide nursing aid to the American troops overseas. Her father despised the idea and her mother nearly fainted when Gwen had told them, but she couldn't just sit- especially not when her fiancé was somewhere near Paris fighting on the frontlines.

She'd just been transferred to the newly stationed Eighth Air Force in England, and watching every single as less and less planes came flying back than out was gut wrenching- just as much as watching the medics pull burnt, bloodied, and wounded men from their planes.

"You have to give me room!" Gwen demanded as the airman hovered over his wingman. "You have to let us work. You have to-" The brunette stops, putting her hand on the man's chest to stop him while the other nurses push the stretcher further into the infirmary. "The more I have to tell you this, the more time we have to take away from him, and if we don't get him treated immediately- he will die. Do you understand that?" She wastes no more time before turning back around and ran after the stretcher and into the makeshift operating room.

Two hours pass before Gwen walks outside, catching glimpse of the man now perched outside. A slow breath is taken before she walks up to him, crossing her arms then gives the faintest of smiles before nodding towards the door. "Come on....don't act like I didn't notice the burn on your leg. It doesn't look too bad, but it doesn't take much for those to get worse. If you let take me take a look at it now I won't mention it to your General."

Her smile grows just a bit before turning to walk back into the infirmary. She nods towards one of beds as she grabs some antiseptic cream, rag with a cool can of water, and a few bandages. "....Good news. I think you'll make it, but this is going to sting." As carefully as she can, Gwen places the rag against the burn, cleaning it the best she could before placing the cream over it and begins bandaging it up.

".....Your partner. I won't lie to you, he is rough shape, but we got him stabilized and on a plane to London. He has a long road ahead of him and unfortunately I think they'll have to remove his legs, but he'll make it. Even better, he'll get to go home."

The last of the bandage is taped up before Gwen sits back to examine her work then reaches her hand out to him. "Gwendolyn Grace Adler. Most people just call me Gwen. You're Andrew Smith, right? It's nice to meet you. I've heard great things." Another smile is shot in his direction as she begins cleaning up the area. "So...Andrew Smith....where are you from? I'm from Montana, but was living in New York just before the war began to go to college. My father is the Senator from Montana and well, I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I was studying political science, but when Pearl Harbor was bombed I decided to get into nursing to help as much as I can. What about you? What were you doing before the war?"

[chamberedbeauty]

Lips press together when he pushes the plate away from him once more, and this time she finally places it back on the small nightstand and leaves it alone. He was far too stubborn for his own good, and this was just going to be a battle she wasn't going to win, no matter how hard she begged, pleaded, or threw her own fit about it. Though it doesn't stop her arms from crossing over her chest as she listens to him speak

Brows crease at his criticisms of her idea of what she believed love to be, and she can't help the small sting of hurt she felt when he brings up names and riches. Sure, her mother was allowed to marry her father without too much pushback because of her father's wealth and name, but that wasn't what their love was based upon. Nor were her ideas about it. "I don't need money to love, Bucky. That's not what love is." And in her mind, she had the long list of men she'd turned down for that very reason.

Gwen continues to listen to him, her face falling when Bucky mentions what he believes he's "good for", and finally she stands up, smoothing her skirt. "Well, perhaps we can just choose to disagree on that. I don't believe love should be painful." She turns to face him, feeling the bit of anger coursing through her at him for thinking so low of himself. "And that is absolute bullshit," Gwen fires off, letting her "societal norms" of respect and politeness towards a man go right out the door. "You are so much more than whatever you're wrapped up in. You are.....you are so full of greatness and everything good and I do not want to sit around here and listen to you speak another word like that. I can hardly even stomach the idea of those people who believe that being around you. I mean it, if I ever find out what woman did this to you, I will punch her in the throat."

The woman crosses over to grab her jacket and purse from the chair. "You're right, you are a grown man, and if you don't want me here- fine. But for Christ sake be grown enough to at least try and actually take care of yourself." A slow sigh is finally given as a hand runs through her messy curls, glancing at his small clock. She was supposed to meet Harry before their 10 o'clock class to have coffee, but...taking care of Bucky had been more important. ".....I'm going to go back to my apartment, clean myself up, then head to my afternoon classes. I have a dinner to attend to this evening, but I'd like to come back and make sure you're not dead- though- I highly doubt you're going to let me back into this apartment. So....how am I going to know you're okay, Bucky?"

[lamentingwclf]

Bucky can see the exact moment he's starting to get his way. He sees it in the way her bottom lip starts to pout just slightly, the slight shake in her chin until it dimples. There's no tears, though, but it is a threshold that he's not willing to push much further save to ask her one question. "I know you don't need money or riches or however you want to put it to love, but I also know that whoever you're going to end up with will need it to get approval from your parents. And that's a different thing entirely."

In fact, it was everything. At least when it came down to the small hope that had been their potential love story. And she had no idea, because he would never, could never, bring himself to tell her. He could never truly peel back the layers to show her this shame, that he'd tried and failed. That the boy who could get everything finally met his match, and it was now defining every interaction between them.

Bucky knows she saw the shift in him as they grew older, and his platonic feelings fell away into an attraction turned to genuine feeling. He'd put a sort of distance between them for the sake of trying to preserve what they had. But the true shift in their dynamic? That fateful dinner that left him cool and reserved and her desperately clinging to normalcy?

How could she not know?

"I know." He finally relents, but he's not entirely sure she heard him the first time over her ranting. So he cuts her off again, when she's crossed over to grab her bag. To signal she's finally going to leave him be and when he's speaking at her back. It's easier this way. "Gwen, I know."

Pulling his knees to his chest, he wraps his arms around them, and rests his chin on one. "I'm not stupid, and I'm not the reckless one." How can he be when he's consistently having to clean up after the rest of them? The only one he never has to worry about is Rebecca - but Steve, Gwen, and June? They are the three that charge into things heart first, consequences be damned. They don't see the bigger picture until after the fact, when Bucky is cleaning cuts and bruises and wiping away tears. It's a luxury he's never given himself, and partially why he tries to shield them from the bigger decisions that threaten to drown him.

"I don't jump to conclusions or make rash decisions. This - " He briefly breaks his pose to motion to himself, then reverts back, as if making himself smaller will protect him in this rare moment of truth. " - is a necessary evil that I'm not even going to begin to poison the term of love over. It's," Transactional sounds horrid, but not far from the truth. "It's over for a while."

The damage had already been done, but there was no going back on her side either. June had submitted pieces in an upcoming show at the art gallery already. Had been chattering about it for weeks. The rest was in her own hands. Bucky knew Cheryl likely felt her hold over him slipping, and it had caused the abuse. Freedom was so close, he just had to wait it out. Which meant Gwen butting out.

"Go to class. Do great things. Make a difference." His expression scrunches as he says it, not unkindly. "I'll be fine, I always am."

[chamberedbeauty]

"What the hell do my parents have to do with anything?" Gwen fires back, crossing her arms as she feels her defense grow. "I guess I did not realize we were living in the Renaissance or realize that my parents are arranging my future marriage. Please do tell me, is he handsome at least?" She shoots him a look, a look that had become all too familiar over the years that she'd known him. "You are dreadful like this, I hope you are aware."

She bites her tongue when he tries to dismiss her as the one who wasn't reckless, but he was right. Bucky was a lot of things, but reckless wasn't one of them. He was sensible. It didn't mean he was trouble free, but the problem was he knew how to get out of it. He could save the day- always. But whatever this was, he was in deep- maybe too deep.

She listens to each word, and the more he speaks, the more her stomach starts to tighten and just as she began slipping on her coat, her brows crease then widen. She'd heard stories before. Whispers and rumors of men getting into those kind of activities for profit. But she never figured she'd meet one- let alone have one as her best friend.

Quickly Gwen spins on her heel. "What have you done?" Her voice is a whisper now, but harsh- panicked. "What- What on earth do you mean necessary evil? What are doing?' She bites her lip, fingers running through her hair nervously as she looks around the room as if there was a secret agent hiding here listening to every word. She knew he was poor, but was he really that poor? Would he really go to that level before asking her for some help?

"A-Are you- are you doing this for money? I- Do you owe someone money- is this-" Don't say it. Instead, she reaches inside of her purse, pulling out her checkbook. "I mean it- don't you dare lie to me- don't you dare! How much- how much is it because- do you have any idea what would happen if someone- if someone found out? That's illegal, Bucky- very illegal. Your whole family would go down with you- so I- I don't want to hear it. This is not fine. What is it? What the hell have you done?"

[chamberedbeauty]

Have we met?

@nursetosoldier

Fingers lightly trace the edge of one of the many white blankets that draped across her on the hospital bed. 'Have we met?' The question is pondered in her head for a moment, and she lets it. She was the first person to give her a glimmer of comfort since she'd woken up from the chamber. How she was here- or Gwen herself- was still more of a mystery....but hell- at least she wasn't alone.

"My name is Gwendolyn Grace Adler. My father was New York Senator George Adler. After...after your brother sergeant Barnes passed we went to his memorial and my father introduced himself to you. All I did was give a quick condolence but....I-I remember your face and your name."

The woman bites her lip, wiping swiftly at her eyes. "....H-How are you here too?"

[soulprompts]

REASONS TO CUP A FACE. ( A PROMPT LIST. )

with the help of some very talented and amazing friends, i present to you an unexpected, very spontaneous meme list based on the beautiful art of cupping someone's face! there's a mix of romantic and platonic here, and even a few that defy the boundaries of normal relationship dynamics! i hope you enjoy! as always; DO NOT ADD TO THIS LIST NOR CLAIM IT AS YOUR OWN!

[KISS]: sender cups the receivers face in their hands before drawing them closer for a kiss.

[CHECK]: after an unexpectedly violent situation, sender frantically rushes to check if the receiver is okay, cupping their face to look closer.

[CLEAN]: sender affectionately wipes a smudge of sauce from the corner of the receiver's mouth, cupping their face in the process.

[LIFT]: sender gently cups the receiver's face and lifts their chin so the receiver is looking up at them.

[COMFORT]: sender cups a distressed receiver's face in their hands and steadies them by resting their foreheads together.

[ATTENTION]: during an important conversation, the sender takes the receiver's face in their hands and firmly directs their focus on them.

[MAKE-UP]: while applying make-up on the receiver's face, the sender cups their face in order to keep them still.

[PRIDE]: after the receiver succeeds in a remarkable achievement, the sender cups their face and tilts their foreheads together to express how proud they are of them.

[WHISPER]: in order to have a private, hushed conversation with the receiver, the sender cups their face and draws them close to make sure they can be heard.

[HAIR]: in the process of pushing the receiver's hair back from their face, the sender lets their hand rest against the receiver's cheek a moment longer.

[GROUND]: during a moment of intense emotional stress, the sender gently takes the receiver's face in their hands to ground them until they're calmer again.

[WONDER]: unable to comprehend how incredible the receiver is, the sender decides to simply cup their face in their hands and marvel at them instead.

[LAST LOOK]: before going into a situation that may result in their death, the sender takes a moment to cup the unaware receiver's face in their hand, just to take a final look of admiration at them before they go.

[SACRIFICE]: the sender cups the receiver's face tenderly to distract them, right before shoving them out of the way (to safety) and facing an attack alone in order to buy the receiver enough time to escape.

[BELIEF]: in a moment where the receiver is lacking in self-confidence, the sender cups their face tenderly and professes their faith in the receiver's abilities.

[DISBELIEF]: after the receiver has done something completely unexpected (and reckless) the stunned sender cups their face in their hands while trying to get them to explain why the hell they did it.

[BETRAYAL]: trying to keep the receiver calm before the big reveal, the sender cups their face gently to keep them steady, and then reveals that they're the villain.

[WOUND]: after the receiver has been wounded, the sender tries to keep them calm and conscious by cupping their face in their hands and talking to them to keep them focused.

[INJURY]: after having been badly wounded themselves, the sender tries to reassure the frantic receiver by cupping their face and comforting them.

[RAMSAY]: after the receiver commits a culinary crime, the sender presses two slices of bread against either side of their face, cupping their face to hold the bread in place, and calls them an idiot sandwich.

[soulprompts]

𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐒.

literally letter threads are elite. that’s. that’s all the context we have here. also bc the language is obviously being changed slightly here. so, for clarification: the person receiving the meme, is the writer of the letter! the person SENDING the meme, is RECEIVING the letter! now. go write letters, u magnificent cupcakes, and DO NOT ADD TO THIS LIST!!! i will know, and i will hunt u down and curse ur potatoes to be soapy and bland and messy for all eternity.

[ LOVE ]:     the writer begins the first of a series of love letters to the recipient.

[ SORRY ]:     the writer delivers a letter of apology to the recipient.

[ LAST ]:     a letter sent in the aftermath of the writer’s death.

[ TWIST ]:     a letter sent in the aftermath of the writer’s alleged death, only to reveal that they are, in fact, still alive.

[ FINAL ]:     a letter written in the aftermath of the recipient’s death, where the writer knows they’ll never get the chance to read it.

[ INITIATE ]:     a letter written to the recipient in order to maintain communication between the two while the writer is far away from them.

[ FAREWELL ]:     a letter written to say goodbye to the recipient, where the writer knows there’s an extremely high chance that they’ll never see each other again.

[ REVELATION ]:     a letter written that reveals the truth about an event(s) that the writer believes the recipient may be misinformed about.

[ EXPLAIN ]:     a letter that explains the reasoning behind choices that the writer has made in the past, which they would like to explain to the recipient.

[ BAD ]:     a letter that delivers bad news to the recipient.

[ UPDATE ]:     a letter that updates the recipient on the writer’s life, or certain on-going events that are happening in their life.

[ AFAR ]:     a letter delivered by the writer from another country/city/planet/etc in order to reassure the recipient and let them know they’re okay. (not intended to be a back-and-forth, like [ INITIATE ] does).

[ HIDDEN ]:     a letter written and delivered to the recipient in secret, for the recipient’s eyes only, as a result of information it contains, or because of the person who wrote it.

[ UNSENT ]:     a letter written for the recipient, but which the writer ultimately never sends for reasons that the writer conceals, or may reveal within the letter itself.

[ MISTAKE ]:     a letter which is sent to the recipient by mistake, and which may contain sensitive information about the recipient.

[ UNVEIL ]:     a letter which reveals the truth about a plan that the writer previously and deliberately concealed from the recipient for their safety/well-being.

[ NEEDED ]:     a letter that the writer wrote for the recipient after learning of their recent struggles in their personal life, and which contains uplifting words of encouragement, support and other things they feel they should hear to help them through.

[ PILLOW ]:     a letter left neatly atop a pillow on the bed that the writer and recipient share, that is discovered by the recipient the following morning after the writer leaves the room/home.

[ FRIDGE ]:     a letter attached to the fridge with magnets for the recipient to read in the kitchen.

[ KNOWN ]:     a letter which the writer left in a place that only the writer and recipient know of, knowing that only the recipient would be able to find it first.

[ HELP ]:     a letter written by the writer to the recipient, asking the recipient for help.

[ STOP ]:     a letter written for the recipient which the writer intends to be their final letter to them, and which ultimately concludes all communications between the writer and recipient from that moment forth.

[ PAST ]:     a letter which the writer wrote in the past, that reveals a piece of their backstory, that the reader finds and reads out of curiosity. (this could also be a letter written TO the receiver of the meme, or about them, or anything at all!)

[lamentingwclf]

"Yeah, it's rough." Sam says, taking in the story as she tells it. "A lot of men joined up to serve their country in that time, it was a pride thing. All it took was one per family, then it shamed their brother's into needing to do the same. Then the neighbors, and their classmates. All of them felt like they couldn't just stand by while our flag was essentially spit on. I'm pretty sure that's how Steve felt." Just from knowing him, and listening to Bucky talk about it. "Hell - " He starts, then stops, realizing what he's just said in a church and smiles sheepishly before continuing, "I'm sure most of them thought they would come home again." A shrug. "I've watched a lot of documentaries about it, listening to the veterans talking about their pride, it's part of what made me want to join up when I got old enough too. That and I wanted to be in a position to help guys like that."

He knew they wouldn't respect someone who didn't walk the walk - but nothing prepared him for the trauma of it. What loss like that could actually do. Sam glances at his hands clasped between his knees, really thinks over what he's going to say next, because it may not entirely be kind. But he wants to push her thinking, even just a little.

"You do that a lot, huh." He asks, before specifying. "You take a lot onto yourself that you don't need to...Bucky and Steve, they were your friends, but they were not your entire life or world. You had a family, brothers. You had a promising and bright future, if you found it in you to move on. Grief is hard, and it takes time, but it is possible. And, I'm sorry, but to say they were, and that's all you had, is doing yourself and your family a disservice. I think that's partially what Bucky was trying to say to you, just not in the best way. You're putting a lot on them as well, on what happened to them when it wasn't entirely in their control."

At least Bucky. Sure, he chose to follow Steve, but the consequences of deserting at that time were to high. Steve...Steve kind of had a choice when he put that ship down in the Arctic. But he had chosen the need of many of the need of one.

"There's a lot you don't know, because he's refusing to tell you. I can't really say why, but if I had to guess, he doesn't know how. Bucky's never had to explain what happened to anyone, he's never had to take that step, and no one has ever held him accountable for it." Even if his therapist was trying to push him to make amends. Sam isn't entirely sure Bucky knows what that means yet. "I think that if you had all the pieces, a lot of it would make sense. I don't know who he was before the war, but it wasn't just the war that changed him. It was everything that happened after. Which is why he can't go back, and why if you decide to go back, you can't try to track him down.

I was there the day Steve went back, and it was rough. He doesn't talk about it, but I saw his face, I saw Bucky's inability to approach him by the lake when he gave me the shield. He lives with the knowledge Steve went back knowing that too. That some things couldn't be changed and were too dangerous to try, but he did it anyways. He left his best friend, who he spent years trying to track down, burning bridges, and cutting connections he'd made just to save." And he'd dragged Sam and Sharon down with him. Yet, there's no malice in his tone, just sadness. It's not his anger to bear. "He did it anyways."

Suddenly, Sam stands. "I'm tired of talking about it in an overly vague way, and I'm tired of pushing Bucky to tell you the truth. If you want to know what's going on, come with me. I'll show you, and you can decide for yourself."

[chamberedbeauty]

"Do what a lot?" Gwen whispers softly, giving a small sad sniff. She listens to him intently, biting her lip as she looks down at the floor. Another wave of indescribable guilt and grief washes over her, and she feels just as she had laying in that hospital bed listening to the wails of the nurses in the hallway as H.V. Kaltenborn announced to over the radio that Captain America had just put a plane in the water and perished with it. Her boys- gone.

"With all due respect, Cap- Sam- Bucky and Steve were...they were my family too. I-I know most people would just roll their eyes and say 'poor little rich girl' but....but those boys were my freedom. I love my brothers. I love my brothers so so much and I hate that they were alone. I miss them...I miss them every moment. But I was seven when my first brother was born and almost fourteen when my youngest came along. I cherished them and I tried to be the best older sibling I could, but...but I spent more of my time with Bucky and Steve. When they died I-I couldn't- I didn't know how to.....I didn't want to-" Her head shakes, unable to form her feelings into words. How can you explain a love so strong? "I just didn't want to. I know....I know that makes me a horrible sister. And I know that I was just the girl that tagged along and maybe they didn't need me as much as I needed them- and that's okay- but....I just- I can't live in a world without them. Bucky is here- a-as different as he is now. And Steve....if I go back, I'd find him...I'd go find him and make sure we go find Bucky."

A shaky breath leaves her lips as she continues to listen to Sam and he was probably right. There was so much that didn't make sense. What happened- why it happened. She couldn't understand why Steve wasn't here- especially when Bucky and Steve were so inseparable. All Gwen knew was Bucky was different. He looked hollow- empty and angry. That stupid glittering charm in his eyes was gone, those lips that grin away the worst of the world. It was gone- he was gone.

Gwen's eyes track him as Sam stands up, her fingers quickly fidgeting at his offer. "Oh I- I don't know. It's light out and people- there's so many people out there and I just- I don't know if it's a good idea to leave. Besides, I know I look a mess and-" The woman pauses, biting her lip that wraps the blanket around herself tighter then stands and follows Sam out of the church, and thankfully, into his car.

She's quiet as he drives her to a modest townhouse and ushers her inside. Brown hues take in the home- simple but homey- far from Bucky's barren apartment. "Is this where you stay when you're in the city?" Gwen asks, wrapping herself up a bit tighter as she lets him guide her to one of the small rooms with a television, listening as he tells her to have a seat.

"What...what are you playing?" She watches as he somehow goes into a screen and types the words 'Winter Soldier' into the box. "What's a Winter Soldier?" She questions, her head cocking to the side, brows creasing again as she notices the images of a man in a black mask dressed in dark clothing with a bright silver arm with a red star, and a very large weapon in his hand.

"What is this?" Gwen questions, feeling a knot begin to grow in her stomach. "Sam....I don't....what is this?"

[chamberedbeauty]

@lamentingwclf continued from x

If Bucky had been at there there would have been bloodied fists, lips, and noses- hell even a broken bone might have been in the card. However, if Bucky had been there, Ralph Rutherfurd, wouldn't have even dared to open his mouth and put those words out in the air in front of her. Even if Steve was there, the words would be tamed down, but she was defenseless. And he and his gang of Brooklyn's slummiest boys had spotted her.

"I do not!" Gwen's quick to fire back, even thought there's no sense in arguing it. Bucky knew every single one of her tells about everything. It was rather annoying. But then again, she'd been far too open with the boys since she showed up at Bucky's doorstep as a little girl.

The brunette gives a quick sniff, pondering her choices- knowing he full well what his intent would be if he found out about this later. Tucker Sherman was there, and he'd do anything to get on Bucky Barnes's good list after he lied about Steve being thrown into that dumpster some years ago.

"I was at Coney Island Beach with Alice and Myrtle. They had left to go get some ice cream and other snacks and I wanted to save our spot on the beach so I stayed under our umbrella. I wasn't paying attention, I was watching an elderly couple playing in the water a-and then I heard Ralph's voice. He was with his crew and....well I'd just gotten that new swimsuit, you know? And he started saying things about it and then...then he started talking about you and Steve and why...why he believes you two keep me around and why I stay. And he was just saying things- awful things. Illegal things. Things that aren't supposed to be talked about- especially not in public and- and things that should not be said to a politician's daughter-or any lady. Then his whole group started chiming in and-and made sounds and actions and I didn't know what to do but when I stood up to leave Ralph grabbed my arm and tried to kiss me, so I-"

Gwen paused, rubbing her hands together nervously for a moment. "Well, you see, he was holding his hotdog in his other hand, so I just- Well I just grabbed the hotdog and smashed in his face then ran. The boys chased me for a little while, but the crowd was big today and I-I got away. But people saw, Bucky, they saw, and what if someone recognized who I was and told the papers?"

Quickly she reaches out and grabs his hand, squeezing on tight as the other grips his wrist. "I handled it, okay? I did. I did it and- and now you don't have do to do anything. He didn't hurt me, he just embarrassed me is all. You said I have some control, I told you, and now- now it's done. It's done. You nor Steve did to get involved. I just....I just need someone to walk me home now..."

Because the last thing she wanted was to walk the streets knowing she had a target on her back.

[mcflymemes]

PROMPTS FOR LAVISH BALLS, PARTIES, AND SECRETS *  adjust as necessary, send 'reverse' for the reversal of action prompts

DIALOGUE PROMPTS

may i have this dance?

you clean up nice.

shall we?

pretend you're talking to me.

have we met?

you've got a strong grip.

my eyes are up here.

i hoped you'd look my way eventually.

you look beautiful.

mind if i cut in?

i should warn you, i'm a horrible dancer.

you help me, i'll help you.

it's a pleasure to meet you.

put your hand on my shoulder.

don't look so stiff.

i wasn't expecting you to be here.

have you tried the punch?

how did you get an invite?

you weren't supposed to find me here.

we shouldn't be seen together.

mind joining me for a walk in the gardens?

this is a masquerade party, after all.

i couldn't find a date in time.

dance with me.

quick, while no one's looking.

i need another drink.

the rumor mill's already started.

at least pretend that you like me!

the pleasure is all mine.

that's good to know.

are your spies in position?

what an unexpected pleasure.

right this way, please.

take my arm.

were you eavesdropping?

we shouldn't keep them waiting.

i wouldn't be caught dead dancing with you.

did you hear the news?

are you the guest of honor?

that's a rather garish color on you.

i've heard the rumors about you.

i need some air.

you stepped on my foot!

i was just going to introduce you.

do you like my dress?

don't waste my time with pleasantries.

a word, when you have a moment.

ACTIONS AND SETTINGS * feel free to substitute "ball" for any fancy event :)

[ crowd ] sender and receiver lock eyes across the crowded room of a lavish ball

[ approach ] sender approaches receiver at a ball and asks to dance with them

[ introduce ] sender's friend introduces them to receiver at a ball

[ avoid ] sender tries to avoid awkward conversation by staying away from receiver at a ball

[ alone ] sender finds receiver alone at a ball and quietly approaches them

[ gardens ] sender and receiver abandon the crowded ball and go for a walk in the nearby gardens

[ stolen ] sender steals a moment alone with receiver at a ball and kisses them

[ wrist ] as receiver tries to return to the ball, sender reaches out and grabs their wrist, begging them to stay

[ danger ] sender realizes receiver is in danger at the ball and tries to warn them in time

[ drink ] sender brings receiver a drink at the ball

[ blend in ] receiver tries to blend in at the ball and remain unseen, but sender notices and approaches them

[ dance ] after a dance out on the ballroom floor, sender and receiver freeze in place and stare into each other's eyes

[ balcony ] sender finds receiver standing out on a balcony alone and joins them

[ stairwell ] sender stumbles upon receiver sitting in the stairwell alone, hiding from the crowded ballroom and all the guests

[ last kiss ] sender and receiver kiss before sender leaves the ball and disappears into the night

[ bedroom ] as the ball comes to a close, sender invites receiver to come home with them