Natalia Romanova

18+ role play account//Mun is 21+

[redxinmyledger]

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https://www.tumblr.com/redxinmyledger/814186130517950464/bio?source=share

[deafarcher]

O Christmas Tree (closed | @redxinmyledger )

Clint woke to the smell of coffee earlier than he usually did. He started to roll over, intending to go back to sleep when he remembered that today he and Tasha were going to decorate their home for Christmas. They'd already bought a tree the week before, leaving it undecorated so Liho and Lucky could adjust to the tree without breaking anything.

He jumped out of bed and hurried thru his morning routine before racing downstairs like it was already Christmas morning to pour himself a cup of coffee.

"Morning, Tasha," he said after his first sip of the heavenly brew, finally acknowledging his wife's presence in the kitchen.

[deafarcher]

Lucky laid his head down and began to doze in the sun.

Clint smiled softly.

"She definitely has me wrapped around her finger, just like her mama."

[redxinmyledger]

Natasha leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Mmm. I think I’m the one wrapped around your finger.”

Barney was completely asleep by now.

[deafarcher]

Clint smiled as he noticed that Allie was fast asleep.

"Mmm, and here I thought I was wrapped around your finger."

[redxinmyledger]

Natasha laughed and shook her head. “Nope. You had me from the moment our eyes met. Hook, line, and sinker, as the expression goes.”

Their domestic moment was cut off by a shout from Archer. “Daddy!” There was a big spider in the sandbox, and Archer ran to Lucky for protection.

[lokitheliesmith]

Just for this moment//Natasha&Loki

@redxinmyledger

Loki checked the last working readout on the Statesman as he set her down as carefully as he could on the small planet. Breathable atmosphere, evidence of some previous civilisation he hoped he could scavenge. And one singular beacon, broadcasting a blip on the emergency frequency, the universal 'I'm here, please help'.

He didn't bother with the main bulkhead; instead he disengaged the cabin blast doors and jumped down onto the rocky surface via the gaping hole in the side of the aft deck. He surveyed the damage. The whole rear half of the ship was more like swiss cheese than a viable transport. Still, she'd got him this far.

He cast a mote of light that bobbed greenish in the space above his head, casting everything in a sickly glow.

"Peace." He called aloud, his voice reverberating off the barren rock. "Who calls for aid in this forsaken place?"

[lokitheliesmith]

Loki was indeed surprised to hear about Stark. But then, stranger things had happened. Absently he reached for his breast pocket, then played off the movement out of habit.

"When we make landfall, there'll be time for that. The Xandarians have a drinking culture like Earth."

His expression darkened as she went on, very aware that this was compromising information at best, a deep scar he had absolutely no right to see, or even contemplate. It threw his own troubles into sharp relief, too; most of the events that had shaped him had been as an adult. It tugged at his chest in a way he was vaguely aware would be useful as a ruse, but he could read no lie in her upset.

"Wherever she is, it is clear that she is loved." He offered, not knowing what else he could say. There was no way to heal this kind of wound with words, or magic. None of the traditional platitudes of Asgard fitted either, and he hated those anyway. "You both deserved more than that. All children do."

He reached for his pocket again, this time pulling a flat, square case from it, brass coloured and battered, which he propped on the console between them. She had revealed her heart; the least he could do was show his in return. When she was ready.

"To have been through so much so young, and to have not fallen to revenge and despair, to end up on the side of light... I think that means you are the stronger of the two of us."

[redxinmyledger]

From the time she was ten years old, Natasha had made a promise to herself. No one would ever know her full story. Not the Red Room, not SHIELD. Not even Clint, her best friend and rescuer. Dying had changed all of that. She wanted to leave a legacy: wanted the story of her life to be passed on to other people as proof that someone could walk through hell and still come out with her heart intact.

She didn’t mind sharing some of her past with Loki. He was the first person to have asked about her sister, and she was more than willing to share. She wiped her tears away and nodded. “She is. I did run into her a few years back. It’s a long story, but she got out of the Red Room and we destroyed it. So no other girl will ever have to go through what we did.” Natasha was particularly proud of that accomplishment. It was something she had wanted to do since breaking free from their indoctrination and escaping with Clint.

She glanced up at him with a sad smile. “I did my share of time in the dark. Got a lot of red in my ledger. My self sacrifice was supposed to put my entire past to rights: to wipe that ledger clean. But yes, I’m glad I got out and kept my heart. Yelena too. And all those girls we freed from Dreykov’s clutches.”

She tilted her head in curiosity as he removed the box from his pocket, studying it silently. She didn’t push or ask questions: she knew he would share when he was ready.

[deafarcher]

O Christmas Tree (closed | @redxinmyledger )

Clint woke to the smell of coffee earlier than he usually did. He started to roll over, intending to go back to sleep when he remembered that today he and Tasha were going to decorate their home for Christmas. They'd already bought a tree the week before, leaving it undecorated so Liho and Lucky could adjust to the tree without breaking anything.

He jumped out of bed and hurried thru his morning routine before racing downstairs like it was already Christmas morning to pour himself a cup of coffee.

"Morning, Tasha," he said after his first sip of the heavenly brew, finally acknowledging his wife's presence in the kitchen.

[deafarcher]

Lucky laid his head down and began to doze in the sun.

Clint smiled softly.

"She definitely has me wrapped around her finger, just like her mama."

[redxinmyledger]

Natasha leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Mmm. I think I’m the one wrapped around your finger.”

Barney was completely asleep by now.

[lokitheliesmith]

Just for this moment//Natasha&Loki

@redxinmyledger

Loki checked the last working readout on the Statesman as he set her down as carefully as he could on the small planet. Breathable atmosphere, evidence of some previous civilisation he hoped he could scavenge. And one singular beacon, broadcasting a blip on the emergency frequency, the universal 'I'm here, please help'.

He didn't bother with the main bulkhead; instead he disengaged the cabin blast doors and jumped down onto the rocky surface via the gaping hole in the side of the aft deck. He surveyed the damage. The whole rear half of the ship was more like swiss cheese than a viable transport. Still, she'd got him this far.

He cast a mote of light that bobbed greenish in the space above his head, casting everything in a sickly glow.

"Peace." He called aloud, his voice reverberating off the barren rock. "Who calls for aid in this forsaken place?"

[lokitheliesmith]

"It feels worse the other way around. Finding out that your family is not your blood." Loki had been on both ends of it now. Though perhaps it hurt more because it had come first, rather than because it had been objectively worse. "I did not take the news gracefully, to say the least. It put a great deal of what had come before into a painfully sharp context. It's all gone now, of course. Odin is dead. Asgard is gone. The hot spring, and the forest, and all the places I already knew I would never see again."

"As for Fandral, he was harmless enough. Shameless flirt, but he knew better than to take advantage. I suspect they would have hated each other. Either that or ended up in bed together." He was gone, too. "Pain and pleasure aren't so very different. But I daresay pain lasts longer. The punishing degree of training; that is familiar to me as well."

This risked turning morose. He tilted his head, regarding her.

"I cannot quite imagine there being two of you. Were you close, until...?" He knew from Barton that she had been raised in the profession, but none of the specifics.

[redxinmyledger]

Natasha nodded solemnly. It was hard to find out your family weren’t your true family. Nat had been three years old when she realized that Melina and Alexei were not her real parents, and six when she entered the training program at the Red Room. But it had to be hard to find out your family wasn’t your blood when you were an adult.

“I imagine not. You were raised believing one thing, then found out it was all a lie. Or the majority of it, anyways.” She ran a hand through her hair and took another drink from her water bottle. “Man, I wish this was alcohol.” She wasn’t good at this kind of thing: handling other people’s feelings and giving encouragement. And sharing her past only increased the urge to have a drink. “Probably the first one. Tony’s changed, though. Settled down and had a kid. It surprised us all, but we’re happy for him. He deserves to have some good in his life.”

She glanced up in surprise when he pressed her about Yelena. It had been such an off handed comment, she half expected it to be ignored. But she was thankful it wasn’t. She didn’t get to share her sister with people very often.

“Yelena. She was a few years younger than I was.” She closed her eyes, letting the memories come. “She was always the happiest person in the fake family unit we were placed in. Always laughing, skipping. She loved macaroni and cheese. Wanted it for dinner every night.” She hadn’t let herself think about Yelena in forever. A stray tear fell, but she brushed it away and continued. “She was only six when the Red Room came back for me. And they took her too. Separated us and put us through hell. They called it ‘training’. I was nineteen years old when Barton got me out. I tried to find Yelena, but the protocol for active widows makes it difficult to know their locations.” The tears were flowing now, and there was nothing she could do to stop them. It had nearly destroyed her to watch what the Red Room did to young girls, especially Yelena.

[deafarcher]

O Christmas Tree (closed | @redxinmyledger )

Clint woke to the smell of coffee earlier than he usually did. He started to roll over, intending to go back to sleep when he remembered that today he and Tasha were going to decorate their home for Christmas. They'd already bought a tree the week before, leaving it undecorated so Liho and Lucky could adjust to the tree without breaking anything.

He jumped out of bed and hurried thru his morning routine before racing downstairs like it was already Christmas morning to pour himself a cup of coffee.

"Morning, Tasha," he said after his first sip of the heavenly brew, finally acknowledging his wife's presence in the kitchen.

[deafarcher]

Lucky wagged his tail. He loved being told he was good.

Clint smiled.

"I'm glad you do because I love calling you that," he replied as he leaned over to pick up Allie automatically in response to her fussing.

[redxinmyledger]

Archer put some sand on Lucky’s back and giggled. The sand was the same color as the dog.

“I’m so in love with you, Clint Barton.” Nat leaned over and gave him a kiss. Barney was snuggled into her chest, beginning to doze off.

[deafarcher]

Lucky wagged his tail and stayed put, not yet bothered by the sand.

Clint smiled and kissed her back. Allie was snuggled into her dad's chest in a similar position, his shirt clutched firmly in one hand as she feel asleep.

[redxinmyledger]

Archer smiled and continued to build his sand city.

Barney’s head was testing on Nat’s arm and his lips were parted. Natasha laughed softly. “He’s milk drunk.” She smiled over at Allie. “She’s gonna be a daddy’s girl.”

[lokitheliesmith]

Just for this moment//Natasha&Loki

@redxinmyledger

Loki checked the last working readout on the Statesman as he set her down as carefully as he could on the small planet. Breathable atmosphere, evidence of some previous civilisation he hoped he could scavenge. And one singular beacon, broadcasting a blip on the emergency frequency, the universal 'I'm here, please help'.

He didn't bother with the main bulkhead; instead he disengaged the cabin blast doors and jumped down onto the rocky surface via the gaping hole in the side of the aft deck. He surveyed the damage. The whole rear half of the ship was more like swiss cheese than a viable transport. Still, she'd got him this far.

He cast a mote of light that bobbed greenish in the space above his head, casting everything in a sickly glow.

"Peace." He called aloud, his voice reverberating off the barren rock. "Who calls for aid in this forsaken place?"

[lokitheliesmith]

"Even without the five year hiatus, it's been entirely too long." Loki agreed easily. "Perhaps you had the story from Thor, but... We left Asgard in a hurry, retreating from a battle that was already lost, and before that, we were... occupied, with a secret elder sister who makes me question whether I was in fact the adopted son Odin claims I was."

Now, wouldn't that be an upset of realm-shattering proportions. He was tempted to start that rumour himself, just to spite the memory of the old man. But then again, what would that serve, except to make more misery? He was done with that.

"I've been imagining the hot spring under the palace all week. Hot water and steam, and the cold plunge after..." He closed his eyes for a moment. "Of all the places to miss. Though, I suppose 'hot, dark and wet' is not so different to Fandral's choice of life-affirming post-battle activities... "

[redxinmyledger]

“Thor told me a little of what happened.” Natasha wasn’t aware of the full story, but she didn’t need to know all the details. Just the important things and the events that had occurred prior to Loki waking up on the ship.

As far as she knew, there was no connection between their actions that led up to their deaths: just two people who had given up their lives. Willingly, in her case. She massaged her temples and decided to process everything later. Preferably in a hot shower.

“I can’t imagine finding out I had a secret sibling. That must have been devastating. I have a sister.” She bit her bottom lip, trying to decide if she should continue or not. “Well, not by blood. We were brought up together.” Yelena. Gods, she hoped her sister was okay. They hadn’t spoken in a long time, and Yelena likely thought Natasha was dead. And for good reason too.

“That sounds heavenly. I wish we had a hot spring in the tower. I did get Tony to let me have a bigger shower in my apartment. It’s got a detachable shower head and a bench, which is very helpful after long, tiring missions.”

She arched an eyebrow at his comment about Fandral. “He sounds a lot like Stark. Before the Avengers, I mean. He tried to get me in bed every chance he got. It worked, on a couple occasions.” She let out a dry chuckle and took a drink of her water. “But mostly what I did after a mission was train until my muscles ached and my hands were bleeding. Pain is a good reminder of what it feels like to be alive.”

[lokitheliesmith]

Just for this moment//Natasha&Loki

@redxinmyledger

Loki checked the last working readout on the Statesman as he set her down as carefully as he could on the small planet. Breathable atmosphere, evidence of some previous civilisation he hoped he could scavenge. And one singular beacon, broadcasting a blip on the emergency frequency, the universal 'I'm here, please help'.

He didn't bother with the main bulkhead; instead he disengaged the cabin blast doors and jumped down onto the rocky surface via the gaping hole in the side of the aft deck. He surveyed the damage. The whole rear half of the ship was more like swiss cheese than a viable transport. Still, she'd got him this far.

He cast a mote of light that bobbed greenish in the space above his head, casting everything in a sickly glow.

"Peace." He called aloud, his voice reverberating off the barren rock. "Who calls for aid in this forsaken place?"

[lokitheliesmith]

"To my knowledge, you're only just beginning to explore your own 'backyard'; I suspect SHIELD hasn't dialed in the specifics... Not that an Asgardian wingboat would be much better; we have- had the Bifröst for long distance travel."

He sighed, shook his head as if that might banish the shadow that passed through his mind.

"Not dead, not dying. Not today, at least. It'll be a few hours to the last jump-point, but we're on an arterial route now.

"I've never stopped at Jaguba before, but I suspect it's much like any other mining colony. Once we land, I'd suggest we find a bathhouse, a hot meal, and a place to rest for the night, ideally in that order. And in the morning, a yard that will take her for parts and scrap metal, and might sell us something with more 15% engine function and a functional water closet."

He reached forward to re-engage the navigation system, and caught the back of her hand as she reached for the bottle.

"Ah, here." He handed it to her. "More precious than gold."

[redxinmyledger]

She shrugged one shoulder. “Probably not. Stark’s technology is better, but he and Fury have some…different opinions on making modifications to SHIELD’s vehicles. Or they did, anyway.” It would take some getting used to, this whole life after death thing. She could only hope and pray her teammates were alive and well.

She was still curious as to what all had happened on Asgard. But they had several hours in the ship, and there would be plenty of time to ask questions. In the meantime, she decided to take advantage of the long journey and rehydrate. It had been nine years since she had water, after all.

She startled when his hand brushed against hers, nearly dropping the water. She was grateful when he handed it to her. “Thank you.”, She murmured, taking the bottle and unscrewing the cap.

It wasn’t often Natasha got confused, but this was one of those rare moments. Everything she’d heard about Loki was negative. And some of it was true. But dying has a way of changing people, and he’s being polite to her. She isn’t sure why. Either way, she’s grateful for the kindness. It isn’t something she gets a lot of from people outside the Avengers. The silence suddenly feels awkward, and she decides to fill it by speaking. “I can’t wait to clean up and sleep in a real bed. It’s been nine years since my last full meal and shower, apparently.” The corners of her mouth turn up in a halfhearted smirk. Humor is the best way to deal with trauma, after all.

[deafarcher]

O Christmas Tree (closed | @redxinmyledger )

Clint woke to the smell of coffee earlier than he usually did. He started to roll over, intending to go back to sleep when he remembered that today he and Tasha were going to decorate their home for Christmas. They'd already bought a tree the week before, leaving it undecorated so Liho and Lucky could adjust to the tree without breaking anything.

He jumped out of bed and hurried thru his morning routine before racing downstairs like it was already Christmas morning to pour himself a cup of coffee.

"Morning, Tasha," he said after his first sip of the heavenly brew, finally acknowledging his wife's presence in the kitchen.

[deafarcher]

Lucky wagged his tail. He loved being told he was good.

Clint smiled.

"I'm glad you do because I love calling you that," he replied as he leaned over to pick up Allie automatically in response to her fussing.

[redxinmyledger]

Archer put some sand on Lucky’s back and giggled. The sand was the same color as the dog.

“I’m so in love with you, Clint Barton.” Nat leaned over and gave him a kiss. Barney was snuggled into her chest, beginning to doze off.

[lokitheliesmith]

Just for this moment//Natasha&Loki

@redxinmyledger

Loki checked the last working readout on the Statesman as he set her down as carefully as he could on the small planet. Breathable atmosphere, evidence of some previous civilisation he hoped he could scavenge. And one singular beacon, broadcasting a blip on the emergency frequency, the universal 'I'm here, please help'.

He didn't bother with the main bulkhead; instead he disengaged the cabin blast doors and jumped down onto the rocky surface via the gaping hole in the side of the aft deck. He surveyed the damage. The whole rear half of the ship was more like swiss cheese than a viable transport. Still, she'd got him this far.

He cast a mote of light that bobbed greenish in the space above his head, casting everything in a sickly glow.

"Peace." He called aloud, his voice reverberating off the barren rock. "Who calls for aid in this forsaken place?"

[lokitheliesmith]

The shaking and juddering felt worse this time, and Loki found himself once again muttering encouragement to the metal. He wasn't actively bringing his magic to bear, but if believing that it would hold together was enough to make the difference then he'd keep doing it.

"It's not meant to feel like that." He glanced between her and the screen, which was throwing up the same errors with increasing distress even as they passed out of the jump-point radius. "I don't think it would be wise to get used to it. I think we lost some debris on our way through..."

He pressed a few buttons, but nothing happened.

"We've lost the external cameras. And the foul water system. Probably some of the aft hull. Air and power are stable, but we're definitely going to have to find alternative transport once we reach Jaguba Outpost. Luckily for us it's a Xandarian settlement, not Kree."

[redxinmyledger]

Natasha arched an eyebrow. “SHIELD must give us some low quality ships. This is only a little rougher than my previous jumps.”

She frowned when he mentioned losing parts of the ship. There was no way this vessel would get them all the way back to earth. She hoped they were able to make a trade and get some sort of transport that would deliver them safely to their destination.

“Yeah that’s not good. At least we weren’t using the water system anyways. And we still have power, so we’re not totally screwed.” She was trying to find the positive in the situation. She settled back in her seat with a sigh. “This is better than being dead, anyhow.” She gave him a playful grin, then reached for her bottle of water. “So, what’s the plan for when we reach the settlement?”

[lokitheliesmith]

Just for this moment//Natasha&Loki

@redxinmyledger

Loki checked the last working readout on the Statesman as he set her down as carefully as he could on the small planet. Breathable atmosphere, evidence of some previous civilisation he hoped he could scavenge. And one singular beacon, broadcasting a blip on the emergency frequency, the universal 'I'm here, please help'.

He didn't bother with the main bulkhead; instead he disengaged the cabin blast doors and jumped down onto the rocky surface via the gaping hole in the side of the aft deck. He surveyed the damage. The whole rear half of the ship was more like swiss cheese than a viable transport. Still, she'd got him this far.

He cast a mote of light that bobbed greenish in the space above his head, casting everything in a sickly glow.

"Peace." He called aloud, his voice reverberating off the barren rock. "Who calls for aid in this forsaken place?"

[lokitheliesmith]

For too long, Loki had felt weighted down by so many different things; the sudden and traumatic exit from Asgard, the months of survival mindset, isolation, and self-suppression that had followed. The prophecies of Ragnarok that were now fulfilled. They were into the endpapers, past the last word written of Asgard's glorious purpose.

When he had woken up all of that felt finished in a way that it hadn't before. Like he was finally free of an invisible chain that bound him into the fabric of the universe. And with that it fell to him to decide, at last, what story he was going to tell for himself.

It was partly why, on picking up the distress beacon, he had diverted.

"That's right. Second of three before we can rest and consider our options." Loki confirmed, flipping a couple of switches. "In three, two, one..."

The hexagonal array shimmered in front of them, and the ship creaked and groaned as they entered it's gravity.

[redxinmyledger]

Natasha finished strapping herself in and leaned back in her seat, folding her hands in her lap. She had been considering their options since the moment they had boarded the ship, and none of them were ideal.

If they returned to Earth, there was no telling what they might find. If Thanos had succeeded in his quest, the population would be scarce and the people who remained traumatized by what they had seen. If everyone was alive, would they know who she was? It had been nine years since her death. If she had died in the past, would they remember her in the present?

She ran her fingers through her hair in distress, then tucked her hands beneath her thighs to keep herself still. She sat almost motionless as the second jump happened, marveling (as she always did) at the way the entire ship shook yet stayed in one piece. “I’ll never get used to that.”, She commented, glancing over at Loki. “It feels so foreign.”

[deafarcher]

O Christmas Tree (closed | @redxinmyledger )

Clint woke to the smell of coffee earlier than he usually did. He started to roll over, intending to go back to sleep when he remembered that today he and Tasha were going to decorate their home for Christmas. They'd already bought a tree the week before, leaving it undecorated so Liho and Lucky could adjust to the tree without breaking anything.

He jumped out of bed and hurried thru his morning routine before racing downstairs like it was already Christmas morning to pour himself a cup of coffee.

"Morning, Tasha," he said after his first sip of the heavenly brew, finally acknowledging his wife's presence in the kitchen.

[deafarcher]

Clint smiled.

"You're welcome. And thank you for choosing me and being my home."

[redxinmyledger]

She reached for him, suddenly wanting him closer than the dining room table. Barney had spit up a little and began to fuss, so Nat moved him to one arm and kissed the top of his head.

[deafarcher]

Clint saw her reaching for him and immediately got up to be closer to her.

"Need me to take Barney?" He offered.

[redxinmyledger]

She shook her head. “I’ve got him. But I do need you to come sit by me.”

She glanced out the picture window and smiled when she noticed Archer playing in the sandbox.

[deafarcher]

Clint sat down beside her.

"Of course, Mrs. Barton," he said warmly as he wrapped an arm around her.

Lucky was relaxing on the grass near the sandbox as Archer played, enjoying the spring sunshine.

[redxinmyledger]

Natasha turned her head and kissed his cheek. “I like being Mrs. Barton.”

Allie fussed and wiggled in her bouncy seat, getting bored of the mobile.

Archer was making a pile of sand in the sandbox. He put a shovel next to Lucky and patted the dog on the head. “Good Wucky.”

[deafarcher]

O Christmas Tree (closed | @redxinmyledger )

Clint woke to the smell of coffee earlier than he usually did. He started to roll over, intending to go back to sleep when he remembered that today he and Tasha were going to decorate their home for Christmas. They'd already bought a tree the week before, leaving it undecorated so Liho and Lucky could adjust to the tree without breaking anything.

He jumped out of bed and hurried thru his morning routine before racing downstairs like it was already Christmas morning to pour himself a cup of coffee.

"Morning, Tasha," he said after his first sip of the heavenly brew, finally acknowledging his wife's presence in the kitchen.

[deafarcher]

Clint smiled.

"You're welcome. And thank you for choosing me and being my home."

[redxinmyledger]

She reached for him, suddenly wanting him closer than the dining room table. Barney had spit up a little and began to fuss, so Nat moved him to one arm and kissed the top of his head.

[deafarcher]

Clint saw her reaching for him and immediately got up to be closer to her.

"Need me to take Barney?" He offered.

[redxinmyledger]

She shook her head. “I’ve got him. But I do need you to come sit by me.”

She glanced out the picture window and smiled when she noticed Archer playing in the sandbox.

[lokitheliesmith]

Just for this moment//Natasha&Loki

@redxinmyledger

Loki checked the last working readout on the Statesman as he set her down as carefully as he could on the small planet. Breathable atmosphere, evidence of some previous civilisation he hoped he could scavenge. And one singular beacon, broadcasting a blip on the emergency frequency, the universal 'I'm here, please help'.

He didn't bother with the main bulkhead; instead he disengaged the cabin blast doors and jumped down onto the rocky surface via the gaping hole in the side of the aft deck. He surveyed the damage. The whole rear half of the ship was more like swiss cheese than a viable transport. Still, she'd got him this far.

He cast a mote of light that bobbed greenish in the space above his head, casting everything in a sickly glow.

"Peace." He called aloud, his voice reverberating off the barren rock. "Who calls for aid in this forsaken place?"

[lokitheliesmith]

"Agent Romanoff, flattery will get you everywhere." Loki grinned warmly. "And I thank you for the counsel. To this point it has been more a point of... political expediency, rather than lack of acceptance. I am both, but it has suited me to be as I am most of the time, and keep her for 'best', as it were. A woman is a different currency to a man, after all. They may be spent in different markets." He needed not elaborate too much on that either. Her reputation preceded her. "And a princess of the blood, is a rarer prize still."

He was interrupted by a loud proximity beep from the ship's computer.

"Ah, that will be the next jump point. You may wish to strap in."

[redxinmyledger]

Natasha returned his grin. This was the first time-to her knowledge, anyways-she was seeing the real him. Nat prided herself in her ability to read others, and her instincts told her his smile was genuine. “Good to know.”, She replied with a small smirk, filing that information away for later.

“I can understand that all too well. The world is far more accepting of some people for a variety of reasons. It’s best to play with your cards close to your chest in any situation.” She was speaking from experience, of course. “I think you look nice in either form.”

Her head popped up at the sudden noise and she was instantly alert once more. “Right. Thanks.” She straightened in her seat and began to strap herself in. “This is two out of three, right?”

[deafarcher]

O Christmas Tree (closed | @redxinmyledger )

Clint woke to the smell of coffee earlier than he usually did. He started to roll over, intending to go back to sleep when he remembered that today he and Tasha were going to decorate their home for Christmas. They'd already bought a tree the week before, leaving it undecorated so Liho and Lucky could adjust to the tree without breaking anything.

He jumped out of bed and hurried thru his morning routine before racing downstairs like it was already Christmas morning to pour himself a cup of coffee.

"Morning, Tasha," he said after his first sip of the heavenly brew, finally acknowledging his wife's presence in the kitchen.

[deafarcher]

Clint smiled.

"You're welcome. And thank you for choosing me and being my home."

[redxinmyledger]

She reached for him, suddenly wanting him closer than the dining room table. Barney had spit up a little and began to fuss, so Nat moved him to one arm and kissed the top of his head.

[redxinmyledger]

"I got new throwing knife. Do you want to test them out with me?"

“Absolutely. Are we using a target or a training dummy? Or something that moves?”

[prplhawk]

"Moving targets?"

[redxinmyledger]

“Yeah. Like birds or targets hanging from trees. Or people.”

[mr-t-stark]

closed starter for @redxinmyledger

Tony cards an oily hand through his greasy hair. He stifles a yawn, exhaustion creeping into his vision, but he quickly blinks them away to focus on the task at hand.

"JARVIS, turn up the volume, will you?"

The chorus of AC/DC's You Shook Me All Night Long reverberates through the room. He can feel it in his bones. This is what he needs.

It's a new suit; he's made several blueprints already, all with different uses in case different battles call for a different suit. He needs to be prepared for every possibility. Every one of them.

After the New York invasion and the whole fiasco with Loki and the Chitauri, Tony's been on edge. He's never seen the universe so... dark. A vast abyss.

Tony's a scientist. An engineer, first, but a scientist second, still. He knows the universe. It's endless and bright and filled with so much life. But what he saw out there?

It was terror. Everything spoke of a dark age. Everything spelled an incoming danger.

That's why he needs the suits. They're everything to him. Tony can't protect the world, or his loved ones--Pepper, Rhodey, Happy, the team, and by god Nat--just as Tony Stark.

But he can as Iron Man.

And you may be thinking: Why so many suits? It's not like it's the end of the world, Tony.

Well. To that Tony says: Fuck off, I'm Tony Stark. You don't get to tell me what to do.

So here he is, not exactly remembering when his last meal or his last shower or his last nap had been, cooped up in the lab and tweaking his newest project--Mark... uh, he's lost count--with a screwdriver.

That's when he hears the doors to the lab sliding open, jumping at the sound. He readies his repulsor, aims it as he turns--

Only to land his eyes on a familiar figure. He pulls his gauntlet back down.

"Couldn't have warned me?" The music turns down as if on cue. "Don't turn down my music, J," he says, disappointed, and turns back to his work. "And hi to you too, I guess." That one he directs to the person in question.

[redxinmyledger]

“Maybe I was.”, She purrs in his ear, grinning up at him. She knows he has an ego, and praising him when he makes her feel good in bed is one of the ways she can please him. Natasha isn’t good with feelings. She never has been. But actions speak louder than words, as the cliche saying goes, and the way she’s touching and praising him conveys some of what she feels for him. She likes him. Maybe she even loves him. She isn’t sure how to feel about that just yet.

She wasn’t expecting him to completely fall apart when she rolls them over, but the way he reacts is fucking hot. “Language, Tony.”, She teases breathlessly, letting go of his wrists to drag her hands down his bare chest. She’s closer to the edge than she’ll admit. It’s been far too long since they were together, and she’s so worked up that it’s hard to wait.

The moment he starts begging her, she falls apart. She grabs his hair and pulls him into a rough, frantic kiss: moaning into his mouth as her body tightens around him. Her legs are shaking and a fine layer of sweat coats her body, but she’s too caught up in the moment to care.