He loved heroes and became one

[kingofwesteros]

MELANCHOLY & ANGST SENTENCE STARTERS . . . 70 lyric excerpts from tamino's albums, lightly edited for more interaction possibilities.

"You're everywhere – in every melody and in every little scar."

"Everything dies. So does memory."

"You have come to love what you always feared."

"Don't tell me this was a dream."

"Something hides in every night."

"Don’t leave it there, just give it a chance."

"If only I'd forget you after one last dance."

"I've seen the world's most beautiful places."

"I feel as if I'm a walking machine."

"This might as well not be real."

"It feels like I've always been blind."

"Life isn’t all about extending your time."

"It’s the perfect time for a bottle of wine."

"And why do I still care?"

"I am only here to break your heart in two."

"It's wrong to keep you near me."

"Death suits you, dear sir."

"One could call me cruel and deceiving."

"These poems that you preach are being wasted as you speak."

"For you I'd give an arm."

"I'm one of few that never meant you harm."

"From time to time I wonder – did you do it to feel desired? For love to replace your shamе?"

"They would pay any price to kiss your skin."

"The blinding darkness before we met is all I need to remember you as the light you were."

"I'm afraid that no amount of fame will ever wash away the shame of knowing not how to love your only friend."

"Can't you help it? Thinking of me? I think you love me, it's like you must."

"You almost have a lust for making something of me."

"I see no care for this place in your sullen gaze."

"No one else could match your flavor."

"Strings of my imagination, now gracefully strung by your hand."

"I stray from the signs. They have showed me nothing."

"He made the days all pass me by."

"They held me chained and captive so I could never join the sea."

"I've given my words to you, and I'd do it again."

"How can we refuse a cease of fire between your heart and mine?"

"Well, I'll surrender first tonight."

"I've given my heart to you. You know its ways."

"I'm the one. The trigger for your gun."

"I'll be coating my treasures in fire so none but the damned may prize them."

"Is it our time that's hollow or is it my chest?"

"Your walls are built to break."

"Our touch crosses oceans."

"All I am worth depends on you."

"Life was not aware of me, and I wasn't aware of life."

"Your fascination has always fascinated me."

"I've seen enough to know where I belong."

"You can't prove me wrong."

"Hope you don't mind me staying where I please."

"You may have your thoughts, a sketch of who I am – but you don't know me."

"Mercy is your foe."

"You've already dug a grave, and now you hope I misbehave."

"Even when there's none to blame you always shout my name."

"I don't owe you. I've never owed you."

"I developed taste in all sorts of ugly things."

"Weren't there times when you cared for me?"

"Haven't you thought about all we could be?"

"Stop the tears welling in your eyes."

"I dream of living a life where neither of us fears looking behind."

"Is your faith restored now that every heaven’s out of reach?"

"Tell me who'll be next to blame."

"Don't just look away. Let me know for once what’s on your mind."

"Don’t you notice me?"

"I'm ready to lose everything for your love."

"The longing never watered is the one that grows."

"Every dawn's a mountain, and I'm climbing them without you."

"I'm trying to remember the color of the sky back home."

"I'm older than my mother when she gave me the day."

"You’re tending to some flowers that have long ceased to bloom."

"Is that what you hang on to?"

"One day you might wanna dwell on all the distant years."

[blkhcrt]

❝ i'm feeling like i want to cause some damage ❞

©

[normaltothemax]

Clint was trying to hear him out. He was trying to give Coulson the benefit of the doubt here and believe what he was saying, but it was hard. It was so damn hard when all he felt was pain and anger and betrayal burning icy-hot in his chest.

Because Coulson left.

Yeah, he died, and it was Clint’s fault, but he still left. Just like everyone else in Clint’s life had left him, before he found himself at SHIELD.

Coulson was supposed to be the one that stuck around. Nat was, too, and…

Well.

Look how that’d turned out.

“Why the fuck would he do that?” What was the point in a Death Stone when he’d already had the other six? When he’d already erased half of the universe?

“So…what, you’re the Grim Reaper now?” He couldn’t quite keep the disbelief completely out of his tone. Everything Clint had been through, everything he had seen and experienced, and that still somehow felt far-fetched.

[helovedheroes]

Coulson sighed. He knew the answer to Clint's question. Thanos wanted dominion over Death. He'd been hoping the Death stone would fuse with him, but instead it had sought out him. For what purpose, Coulson wasn't sure.

That was too much to get into, however. He'd decided to move onto his second question instead.

"Yes." He said sadly. "I am simultaneously everywhere there is death, as well as here, talking to you." Coulson rubbed his forehead and sighed. "I'm sorry you had to find out this way. It hasn't been easy adjusting for me but I missed you. I missed the team."

He missed SHIELD.

But each time he arrived to claim a new soul, Coulson secretly prayed it wasn't one of his Agents. Wasn't one of the Avengers he cared so much about. His role as Death cannot be ignored, even if he wanted to, but part of him found purpose in it. He was able to be compassionate in people's final moments. Gentle. Sympathetic. He was able to provide comfort. It was heartbreaking work, but he knew what he was doing mattered. Just like his work with SHIELD. In that way, it was a comfort to him as well.

[normaltothemax]

@helovedheroes from here

A bit of his excitement drained away, body deflating slightly as he huffed. “Aw, man,” he grumbled. “You’re supposed to wanna make me happy, so that means doing what I wanna do.” The petulant complaint came paired with a pout. “My first minion can’t be boring.” That just wouldn’t be fair.

Frowning, he narrowed his eyes up at the man, trying to decide how truthful he was being. He could just be trying to trick Lucy, like grownups sometimes did, thinking they knew better than him. But maybe he really was new. Maybe he had had a long day. But, if that was the case, wouldn’t blood and guts and gore perk him right up?

“…Well, what do you wanna watch, then? Because I don’t wanna see some kids’ movie—I can watch those whenever I want.” Lucy wanted to watch something that would have Arthur lecturing him about responsibility and ‘age-appropriate media’, if he found out (which he wouldn’t).

“Or maybe we can go hit up a casino! I bet I’d making a killing playing Craps.” It couldn’t be that hard to play, right?

[helovedheroes]

Coulson smiled fondly at the child as he called him boring, finding it oddly amusing. Sure, he had a certain unassuming quality about him, but this child had no idea how exciting his life had been or how eventful being Death was.

"Have you ever seen a Western? My grandfather and I used to watch them together when I was little. Though, I was probably a bit too young." He winked at Lucy, implying it was too mature for a child his age. It was tame enough but still had those mature elements he was sure Lucy was looking for.

[revivingakiyama]

"Odd. I wonder who would think Bone Face is a suitable option," Akiyama wondered, more to himself than anyone else. He paused to think a moment before shrugging. "Maybe the goth kids are into that."

"Well...it's tricky." He scratched the back of his head, trying to think of a way to explain it. Snapping his fingers, he pointed at his new companion before reaching into his jacket, pulling out a piece of taffy.

"This is my body," he said, unwrapping the candy and holding it in his palm. "It's whole, it's soft, and it's completely capable of being returned to. But let's say--hypothetically of course--I were to lose a head." His fingers pinched the taffy and twisted hard, yanking off a decent chunk of it. "Well, it's no longer the whole piece. I can't exactly wake up with no head. So, time itself takes over."

He clasped his hands together, kneading the two pieces of taffy between them. "I get to hang out here a little longer while time does her thing, molding it all back together and--" He proudly held out his hand, where a misshapen taffy piece was now together again. He scowled at his handiwork. "I mean, I tend to look better than this, but I think you get the point."

[helovedheroes]

"They are, yes." Coulson confirmed with a confident nod.

Coulson watched the demonstration, appreciating the use of visual aids, as he took notes both in his head and on his clipboard. Akiyama was the first immortal he'd encountered. Sure, he'd brought people back by means of magic but they had, for the most part, been in one piece. This was an entirely new lesson he was getting to experience.

"What if your head is taken elsewhere? Are you here until they are somehow reunited? What's the longest you've been out of body?"

[normaltothemax]

It wasn’t as satisfying when Coulson didn’t fight back. When he just took the hit and stayed as calm and unflappable as he always had. Still, Clint clung to that fury that burned in his chest. His heart was shattering into a million pieces in real time and the anger was so much easier to feel. It was familiar. Way less painful.

He wanted to hang onto it. He wanted to yell and fight and rage, and he wanted Coulson to do the same, because beating the hell out of someone that wouldn’t fight back would just make Clint a massive piece of shit.

Hands balled into tight fists at his sides, trembling with the effort it took to keep them there as he breathed deep, unsteady breaths.

I’ve been dead for 13 years. He flinched minutely at the words. Had it really been that long? Why did it still hurt this much, if it had? Surely it shouldn’t.

“…Explain.” Not a request, but an order. Coulson was going to fill Clint in on what the fuck was going on, whether he wanted to or not—he owed him that much.

[helovedheroes]

An animal attack.

"I'm not just dead, Clint. I'm Death."

But he knew that wasn't enough of an explanation. After letting Clint process what he'd just said for a moment, he continued.

"Thanos created another Infinity Stone. The Death Stone. It sought me out on earth and..."

Sickness.

"I'm everywhere. It doesn't stop." Death. Everywhere. Every second. Relentless. Overwhelming.

Heartbreaking.

[revivingakiyama]

Being the dead man’s spirit I will go to the summer field For a recreation

HOME | RULES | ASK | BIO Indie OC | Mun/Muse 21+

[recordmemes]

༘⋆｡  quiet  stillness.

for  warm  drinks,  kitchen  conversations,  &  warm  hugs.

you  didn't  have  to  bring  me  anything.

you  always  know  exactly  how  i  take  it.

it's  still  warm  -  take  mine.

you  can  stay  here,  as  long  as  you  need.

sit,  i  made  enough  for  both  of  us.

today  feels  like  a  quiet  kind  of  day.

let  me  pull  the  cookies  out  of  the  oven.

your  hands  are  freezing.

you  fell  asleep  on  the  couch  again.

i'll  be  here  when  you  wake  up.

you  can  tell  me,  or  we  can  just  sit  here.

i  have  no  idea  what's  in  this  but  it  tastes  good.

i  needed  this.

it's  chilly  out  there.  stay  a  little  longer.

i  didn't  make  any  plans  today.  just  this.

you  looked  like  you  needed  something  warm  to  hold.

there's  an  extra  blanket  on  the  couch.

i  didn't  have  the  heart  to  wake  you.

this  room  looks  beautiful  when  the  sun  comes  through  the  window.

i  already  put  the  kettle  on  for  you.

[revivingakiyama]

"Wait, you can choose to look like that? And Bone Face willingly decided to do so?" He was starting to wonder what was wrong with the other Death to make them choose to be creepy. "Please, don't. I can handle only so many bones."

He lit up at the offer. "Deal."

Turning back towards his body, he held a hand out towards it, like a museum curator discussing his art. "It truly depends on the situation. If the body is intact, I wake up in its location. If it's not, well..." He shrugged. "It gets tricky."

[helovedheroes]

Coulson was a moment away from donning his best skull face when Ash stopped him. He didn't know why he was disappointed by this. He supposed it would have been fun to show off his ability for someone who could take the time to truly appreciate it. Coulson was a fanboy, after all, and he finally had powers.

"I'm unsure what the previous Death's capabilities were but, for myself, I can change my appearance to suit who I'm with, yes."

Coulson took a couple more notes on his clipboard before looking back up.

"Define tricky, please."

[normaltothemax]

@helovedheroes from here

Despite the casualness of his words, despite the way his body language remained loose and his tone remained calm, Clint was furious. Absolutely seething.

Coulson was dead.

He knew it to be true the same way he knew grass was green. The way he knew the sky was blue and his father was a piece of shit.

Coulson was dead—it was an unfortunate, irrefutable fact of life. One that Clint had known himself to be partially, if not fully, responsible for, since it’d been his plan to raid the helicarrier, his subservience to Loki, his weak mind that’d lead to the god killing him, in the first place.

So why was he here, standing in front of him, alive and in one piece?

Why was Coulson alive, how long had he been alive, and why had no one told him?!

Why hadn’t Coulson told him?

He couldn’t help but wonder as he stalked closer, smooth as a jungle cat following its prey. Coulson, like Natasha, was supposed to be someone Clint could count on no matter what. He’d been family.

Looked like Clint still had shit luck with those, even when they weren’t related to him.

He stopped in front of the other man, looking him over, considering his words: I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. It’s been… A lot.

A lot.

What a truly fantastic explanation.

With no warning, Clint hauled back and decked his friend the man. Bared his teeth and all but snarled at him. “Right. Sure. You know what else has been a lot? Thinking I got you killed, you asshole! But here you are. How much longer were you going to let me think you were dead, Coulson? Or were you ever even going to tell me you’re alive?”

[helovedheroes]

Coulson had expected the assault. He hadn't even blocked or dodged it. Barton's fist made firm impact with Coulson's cheek with no resistance. The older man stumbled and was barely able to remain on his feet, as Clint yelled his grief.

He needed this, Coulson thought. He needed to get this out before he would listen to what really happened. To what was currently happening.

Another car accident.

An illness.

"I'm not." Coulson said softly, having waited a few seconds for Barton to breathe through it. "I died that day. I've been dead for 13 years."

A shooting.

"It... It's hard to explain, Clint, but you weren't lied to. The reason I haven't told you I'm back is because I'm not quite certain I am."

"I'm not sure what I am now."

A suicide.

[revivingakiyama]

Now Coul-Board was actually using the clipboard. This was getting more and more intriguing by the minute. Ash got up on his tip-toes to see if he could sneak a peek at whatever he was writing, but ended up giving up fairly quickly.

"Still, pretty sure old Death was fairly ancient. Or at least, I assumed. Ol' Bone Face never really shared that kind of information." He paused, eyes narrowing at the man. "Wait, you're not going to go all bone face too, are you? If you do, you have to keep the clipboard."

He crossed his arms, a confused look passing his features. While he supposed the term immortal would apply to his situation, he had honestly never thought of it that way before. It was weird. "I'll tell you...on one condition." A strangely serious look settled on his face. "I want...a stamp card."

[helovedheroes]

"I could if you wanted. Some people sort of expect it. It's not my favorite look, of course, but if it would make you more comfortable I've been known to pull off the grim reaper look quite well." He shrugged.

Coulson looked up from his clipboard and raised an eyebrow at Akiyama. He stared at the man for a few seconds before giving a brief nod.

"Counter offer: Punch Card. Seems more fitting with your lifestyle. Collect ten punches and the next death is free."

[greelin]

“you can’t just casually mention you’ve technically died once” i can actually. it’s funny

[revivingakiyama]

"Pfft. You're practically a baby. You'll get the hang of it soon enough, just takes a couple decades."

An afterlife of his choosing. He already knew what afterlife he wanted. Home. The faint smell of the ocean breeze blowing through the window as he stood at his stove, cooking up a simple but familiar dinner. The sound of her laughter as sat down at the table, her voice teasing him as he joined. A rinse and repeat of the life he never got to have. But he already knew that afterlife wasn't waiting for him. It wasn't meant to be. It did no good to dwell on it. He went to take a step forward but found his other foot still connected to his body.

"Come on, knock it off," he grumbled as he violently shook his leg. "Stop being like this. You're gonna give the new guy anxiety." With a hefty kick, he finally freed himself, and felt that familiar feeling of all his troubles melting away. He turned towards the man.

"Bingo, Coul-board. Technically, this isn't even the first time I've died this way. We'd be at number...oh!" He faced his body, his hands resting on his hips as if he were about to scold a dog that had gotten caught. "We've hit double digits with the window! That's why you're being so difficult."

[helovedheroes]

Coulson pulled the clip board from under his armpit and added a little note. The previous Death, it seems, wasn't big on paperwork. There wasn't a single warning as to what he was up against with this guy.

"I'm new to being Death. I'm not new to the concept of it." He'd been responsible for quite a few in his time, he was sure. Coulson looked down at his hand as it became completely black.

"But you are my first immortal submitted for processing. Do you wake up back in your body when it's over? I'd like to keep a note in your file about this if this is going to be a return customer."

[revivingakiyama]

Well, that confirmed it. Clipboard was definitely a new guy.

"You been dead long, Clipboard?" Ash hopped on one foot, finally able to shake one leg free from his body. "It's alright to be all over the place. Trust me, dead people problems are something you don't want to have to deal with...no offense."

He patted his pockets as if to make sure he had everything on him before turning to his new companion. "Right. Is this where you take my hand and tell me that I'm going to a better place? Or at least lie to make me feel comfortable about the great beyond?"

[helovedheroes]

"About... Fourteen years. And it's Coulson. Phil Coulson. Or, it was. Though, I am starting to like Clipboard." He smiled softly. For a moment he turned his head, hearing another sound or perhaps seeing another scene entirely playing before his eyes, but he quickly corrected back to Ash. He promised he had his full attention. He had to focus on where he was now as best he could.

"It seems dead people problems are entirely my deal now. Being Death, and all. I am to guide you as friction-free as possible to the afterlife of your choosing." It sounded rehearsed. Mostly because it was. "But, if I may be so bold, Mr. Takahashi... This isn't your first time dying, is it?"

[daigah]

"Nice characters are boring" to YOU. I love characters who no matter what, will always have genuine love for humanity in their heart. Characters who dance and laugh and sing with sincerity. Characters who believe in others, and are willing to extend a helping hand to people when no one gave them the same luxury. Characters who have gone through so much but believe, no matter what, that humanity and life is something beautiful and worth protecting

[revivingakiyama]

Groaning, Ash forced himself to stand up, brushing his hands off on his pants as he did so.

"Sucks, doesn't it?" he asked. He lifted a foot at shook himself loose from his body, almost as if it was gum stuck to the bottom of his shoe. "The window thing, not the dead thing. Though I guess being dead can suck too, depending on your situation."

He cocked an eyebrow at Clipboard, watching the distracted man with an odd interest. "Do you need a moment?"

[helovedheroes]

"It does. And... it does." Coulson said quietly. This was, oddly, the strangest interaction he'd had with a newly deceased individual.

"No. I'm sorry. I seem to be distracted. I'm new at this. It's hard keeping it all straight sometimes. You have my full attention, I assure you. Are you ready then?"

[revivingakiyama]

"Oh, I wish." Ash muttered, more to himself than at the man. He resumed his earlier task, fiddling around in his pocket until he pulled out a single cigarette, popping it between his lips. "Yeah. I'll take a minute."

It was almost touching how concerned this guy seemed. He had gotten so used to the typical processes that he had forgotten what it felt like for someone to actually be sorry that he had died. Well, he still had plenty of time to annoy Clipboard too. Nice guys never seemed to last.

His hand searched for his lighter and an immediate scowl crossed his face. He pulled out the cracked lighter, staring at it for a minute before shoving it back in his pocket. He might be dead, but he wasn't a litterer. His annoyance slowly turned to curiosity as he forced himself to sit up, ignoring his dead body below as he looked at Clipboard.

"You ever fall out of a window?"

[helovedheroes]

Coulson tilted his head curiously at the comment. As he waited patiently for the man to have his moment before being taken to the great beyond, Coulson seemed to be distracted by sounds Akiyama couldn't hear. In fact, when the dead man finally spoke up again, Death was pulled back as if out of a daydream.

"Hmm? Oh, yes, actually."