KABOOM!

well, that's not necessarily entirely true. being friends (and...whatever) with the greatest spy who's ever left russia has gotten him into all sorts of weird places. the avengers, to name one. but it would be unfair to blame nat for this -- not that blame is the word he should be using, maybe, with the winter soldier's tongue in his mouth and all. and clint can't blame barnes either, for doing whatever natasha says. that's just the effect she has. you want to do whatever it takes to make her happy. the point is, clint can relate to another man head over heels for natasha romanov. even if he doesn't get why she likes him.

(okay, maybe he's starting to get it. just a little.)

clint wonders if barnes was some kind of ladies' man back in the forties or whatever. he certainly kisses like it. did they kiss with tongue back in the forties, or was that a strictly after-marriage activity? is that a dumb question?

he's distracted, and so the sudden shock of metal against his skin, bleeding cold into the space where his t-shirt is rucked up, makes him -- not flinch. startle, maybe. muttering, "shit!" against bucky's mouth. but bucky's pulling him closer, and clint's having a hard time remembering why he hates the guy, actually. it's hot, and it's even hotter that nat's there, watching, probably wearing that smug little look she gets when a plan of hers falls into place.

bucky must really like nat, to kiss clint for her. to do it with this much intensity. because he's not blind, okay, he knows that something about him pisses barnes off. until recently, it'd been mutual. it's still mutual, it's just that. maybe clint has to reconsider some things. privately. he finds himself wanting to run his fingers through bucky's hair, see if it's as soft as it looks, and he's got to curb these thoughts before they get him somewhere dangerous --

nat comes closer, and bucky's glowing. everything fits as it should. his eyes meet hers, and his head tilts. and the kiss doesn't come, even though he's waiting for it. patiently. she hums, and bucky simply waits. waits. and waits. he's surprisingly patient, at times. but in this particularly moment he can sense he went wrong somewhere here. the happy elated feeling doesn't leave him, but he did not allow himself to be calculating, nat crosses all his wires. he shivers slightly, when she touches the hickey. (it doesn't hurt, but the ghost lingering on the bruises is too much. bruce had seemed so invested in leaving his mark. and bucky let him.)

in this line of work that might be exactly the words you never want to hear exactly in that order. chrissy lands right next to gwen, who’s folded over herself. they tend to both be like this, don’t say anything until it’s bad and even then until it’s bad in a way that you can’t ignore. she panics for a moment, lifting up her mask for better visibility, no one’s around in the rubble. the aftermath, these bad guys keep getting worse and worse.

carmen's on a ladder, she's fixing the shitty wiring on the ceiling. tool belt on, it's like a fucking fire hazard. it's a miracle these guys haven't just spontaneously combusted. matt's voice makes her jump slightly. "su put-you scared me." matt's kinda sneaky, they should put a bell on that guy. it doesn't help that carmen doesn't have great hearing. she leans on the ladder. "-wait, i was trying to get this done before you got here. there's a ladder in the middle of the room. just so you know."

"coffee? hmmm..." she smiles, starts moving things around. toolbox and all. "-are you inviting or just taking me, guapo?" she claps her hands to dust them, she takes the time to really look at him. all put together and proper. makes her feel some type of way. "you got a bruise happening there, on your cheekbone." and like shit that's weird. "don't worry y'can't really see it. unless you're really looking." and boy is she looking.

(  dialogue  prompts  taken  from  thunderbolts*  (2025),  directed  by  jake schreier.  feel  free  to  edit  and  change  as  you  seem  fit.  ) 

❛ there is something wrong with me. an emptiness. ❜

❛ you weren’t listening to me. it’s like your mind is somewhere else. ❜

❛ do you think i like taking orders? ❜

❛ you shoot, i dodge. ❜

❛ you guys can never aim for shit. ❜

❛ can you please just say it normal? ❜

❛ how long has it been, huh? a year? ❜

❛ so you… you feel fulfilled? ❜

❛ look around you. i’m miserable. ❜

❛ the light inside you is dim even by eastern european standards. ❜

❛ i've just been wondering, you know, like, what… is the point? in any of this? ❜

❛ the point of work is fame and fortune. fortune buys friends, and love, and a lot of cool clothes. ❜

❛ why do you have this photo out? ❜

❛ we were so bad. ❜

❛ you were happy. ❜

❛ i’ll make you something. ❜

❛ yeah, this just isn’t working for me anymore. ❜

❛ i need you to follow the target inside and find out what she intends to steal. ❜

❛ you’re not even my target. ❜

❛ i’m not here for you. ❜

❛ i know who you are and what you’re doing. ❜

❛ what am i doing? ❜

❛ you’re working me. you’re trying to get me on your side. ❜

❛ you say you know who i am, so you know my story. and you know i didn’t have a choice who i worked for. but you do. ❜

❛ it’s my business card. in case you need some help or you wanna share some secret hidden evidence. ❜

❛ i’m not sure what’s happening here, but you’re all exhausting and my job is done, so... ❜

❛ god only knows the blood on your hands. ❜

❛ pretty ludicrous coming from the dimestore captain america. ❜

❛ that was funny. thank you. we needed that. ❜

❛ it was getting so tense in here for a second. ❜

❛ all right, um… tie yourselves up. ❜

❛ next time, why don’t you just text me like a normal person? ❜

❛ we don’t need to go rogue in the darkness, or whatever you people do. ❜

❛ what exactly are we looking for? ❜

❛ we’re looking for not stupid questions. ❜

❛ hey. didn’t think you’d come back. thanks. ❜

❛ are you hurt? ❜

❛ no, i’m fine. i’m fine. ❜

❛ you do not seem fine. ❜

❛ yeah, well, we’ve only just met. this is… this is how i am. ❜

❛ well, you guys should just go without me. it’ll be easier. ❜

❛ we all feel like shit sometimes. and loneliness, i get that. and that that darkness gets... pretty enticing. ❜

❛ you shove it way down. you just... push it down. ❜

❛ let’s just stick together until we make it to the surface, and after that, you can start a fight with a super soldier. get yourself killed. i don’t care. ❜

❛ so, none of us fly? what, do we all just punch and shoot? ❜

❛ you do not want to start the whole sob story game. i win. ❜

❛ well, you were just a kid, so… ❜

❛ i just think it might be nice to know that you didn’t really know any better. ❜

❛ cucumber, cucumber, cucumber. ❜

❛ growing up, somebody told me that you can stop a sneeze if you confuse your brain. i always just yelled “cucumber.” ❜

❛ you’re the boss now? cute. ❜

❛ anyone else have any pointless childhood stories to tell? ❜

❛ i will fight. you stay behind me. ❜

❛ i’ve always had these episodes since i was a kid. there’s a high, then there’s a big low, and then my memory just goes blank. ❜

❛ you were right, she definitely wants us dead. ❜

❛ this has the makings of a team that can raise to glory. a team that can bring light from the darkness. a team of heroes that can be on the wheaties box and have little kiddie toy… ❜

❛ let’s just forget about them, and let’s focus on you. and how perfect you are. ❜

❛ isn’t that what you want? to be accepted? to be chosen? ❜

❛ no one else sees it, but i do. and i think maybe your past is what makes you so perfect. ❜

❛ look, i’ve been where you are. you can run, but it doesn’t go away. sooner or later it catches up to you, and when it does, it’s too late. so you can either do something about it now, or live with it forever. ❜

❛ you want to be good? or do you want to be somebody who changes the world? ❜

❛ you can do anything. ❜

❛ i'm the only one who knows what your true potential is. and it’s limitless. ❜

❛ i don’t wanna hurt you guys. why don’t you just turn yourselves in? ❜

❛ you can trust me. i know you. ❜

❛ they’re not a threat to me, so why do i need to kill them? ❜

❛ there is no “us.” there is no “we.” ❜

❛ you’re not a hero. you’re not even a good person. ❜

❛ why would a god take orders from anyone at all? ❜

❛ i’m starting to think maybe you don’t know what i am. or what i’m capable of. ❜

❛ i'm not afraid of you. ❜

❛ well, then, chase me forever. ❜

❛ If you cared, you would have called. ❜

❛ i’m sorry. i don’t know how to do this. i’m not good at it. ❜

❛ i didn’t think you wanted me. ❜

❛ i’m late, but i’m… i’m here now. ❜

❛ all i do is sit and look at my phone and think of all the terrible things that i’ve done. ❜

❛ when i look at you, i don’t see your mistakes. ❜

❛ aren’t you tired of fighting? let me help you. ❜

❛ you can’t outrun the emptiness. ❜

❛ it’s what you said. we’re all alone. all of us. ❜

❛ i have these good days, you know? where i feel invincible. but then there are a lot of bad days when i remember that nothing matters, you know? ❜

❛ so you’re just gonna sit here and let it take over? ❜

❛ well, there’s no use in fighting it. ❜

❛ at least i found a nice room. the other rooms are much worse. ❜

❛ you can’t stuff it down. you can’t hold it in all alone. no one can. we have to let it out. ❜

❛ even if it doesn’t make the emptiness go away, i promise you it will feel lighter. ❜

❛ we can find a way out of here together. will you try and leave here with me? ❜

❛ there’s no death here. the pain only gets worse. ❜

❛ i have a great past, so i’m totally fine. ❜

❛ the most shameful thing of all was thinking you could be anything more than nothing. ❜

❛ wait. you think they care about you? you don’t matter. to anyone. ❜

❛ i’m stronger than you. ❜

❛ you thought you were gonna be some great man? some savior? you can’t even save yourself. ❜

❛ we will always be alone. ❜

❛ i’m here. ❜

❛ it will always be just us. ❜

❛ we’re losing credibility. which we had very little to begin with. ❜

❛ we’re running out of space? It’s impossible. this building is enormous. ❜

peter doesn't know what did it. he's good about the not drinking, he's great at partying, an expert even. and the math (which he isn't good at, that much he can admit.) the world has done sideways and suddenly both his feet are left.

he clings into adam's arm, leaning into him. adam smells warm, a little bit like peter and that does something, in his brain the wires cross slightly. makes him smile, giggle. "adam." he starts, in the middle of laughter. his head on his arm. "adaaaaaam." uncoordinated hand, attempts to land on his cheek. misses completely. "oh shit. sorry, dude." his breath is taken away. he can't look at adam, not right now not directly. he feels like a chick, swooning and falling, and loosing his shit. well. that could be the alcohol talking. "where are we going baby? you takin' me somewhere nice? hmm?" peter doesn't want to be anywhere but here, so close to adam's arms.

peter's hand smacks against adam's chest. incredulous, adam swings his head to the side. he takes the moment to drink in the flush rising up peter's cheeks, the glassy shine in his eyes, the crooked self-satisfied grin plastered to his face. adam has seen the rest of the crew at this level of intoxication, but rarely has peter indulged so much. after a lengthy rest, adam will check in with peter, to see if he is doing well. if he needs support. but for tonight, adam takes great care not to say anything that could upset peter's mood. he wants peter to have his fun. based on his observations from the other guardians, the lack of coordination from this level of intoxication should be pitiful, or concerning, or unattractive. adam finds no such thing: only that his companion is gloriously care-free, confident in a way that makes adam's stomach swoop. and when he speaks, he's slightly too loud, but adam is more distracted by the voice peter is using. it's not the charismatic front that he puts up when trying to charm stranger. it's... different. casual, affectionate. it's something adam only hears on occasion, in moments where peter is looking at him like he is something more than just adam warlock.

i went with you up to the place you grew up in.

nothing’s changed.

you must’ve been looking for me.

something happened when you were a kid.

i didn’t know you then and i’ll never understand why it feels like i did.

all of our problems, i’m gonna solve them.

i hate you for what you did.

i miss you like a little kid.

i faked it every time.

i can hardly feel anything.

i hardly feel anything at all.

i’ll be glad that i made it out and sorry that it all went down like it did.

i guess it’s too late to change it now.

you said when you met me, you were bored.

i try to stay clean and live without.

when i think too much about it, i can’t breathe.

i don’t need you to tell me what that means. 

i don’t believe in that stuff anymore.

jesus christ, i’m so blue all the time

that’s just how i feel, always have and i always will.

we talk until we think we might just kill ourselves.

last night, i blacked out in my car.

it’s 4 a.m. again and i’m doing nothing again.

take a dirty picture, babe.

i can’t sleep and i miss your face.

tell me what you wanna do to me.

i don’t wanna be alone anymore.

i’m too tired to go to sleep.

now i can’t breathe, and i can’t sleep.

i don’t wanna be stoned anymore.

i’ve got a good feeling. it doesn’t happen very often.

do you feel ashamed when you hear my name?

that makes me feel old.

anyway, don’t be a stranger.

sometimes i think i’m a killer.

i’m pretty sure i’d miss you.

is there nothing left to do for us?

i am sick of the chase.

i know there’s something waiting for us.

i’m stupid in love and there’s nothing i can do.

i know he needs you, you’re all that he sees.

if i fix you, will you hate me?

would you fuck this and let us fall?

no, it’s not important. 

they’re just pretty words, my dear.

there is no distraction that can make me disappear.

there’s nothing that won’t remind you i will always be right here.

i’m amazed that you’re alright.

i won’t be home with you tonight.

we found our way out.

when you touch down, i’ll be waving.

you got me good; i knew you would.

i couldn’t take it any longer, and i lost control.

when she needed me, i wasn’t around.

when it mattered most, i let her down.

it’ll all work out eventually.

[  *  ]      writing prompt      )         :       below, you will find a series of various prompts from daphne gottlieb's why things burn. these can also be altered as seen fit to better suit the characters in question. content warning: the following prompts may not be suitable for everyone as they contain references to violence, blood, death, and murder.

peter's gotten used to adam just being there, in his room, where he's working, out on missions. and now apparently, since there's no other space for adam, peter's room might be the one spot where he stands out the most. and like he can't help it, there's a lack of adam warlock in close proximity and that's what partially wakes peter up. the room is pitch black, the large window that shows off part of space has a curtain on most of the time. (peter realistically can sleep through anything if he's tired enough, not tonight apparently.) he sits up, the blanket covering him bunches around his waist.

he rubs his eyes, adjusting to the light or the lack of light in the room, before he spots @kuhblooey, looking out the window. he assumes it's adam, thinks it would be fucked up if it was anyone else, the thought is fucking scary. it's enough to drag him out of himself, how tired he feels it doesn't matter right now. "adam?" he calls out, voice sounding rough. dripped in sleep still, he doesn't know what time it is, besides it just being late. and his body knows it. "what are you doing up?" he asks, a silly thing to ask, but his brain isn't there yet. "-it's like so late." in space, but that didn't make it any better. he has half a mind to tell adam to come back to bed. like if he says it, he'd be giving away something. too much. peter's almost second guessing himself everytime he's talking to adam now. things aren't what they once were and peter doesn't know what that is. "-so, so late." he shifts, one leg to the other sit to sit at the edge of the bed. thinks he might regret getting involved in this in the first place, but whatever. it's adam. (he worries about adam, as he does the rest of the crew. yeah.)

tonight, though, he’d laid aside quill for too long. counting moments, heartbeats, breaths. the warmth of the sheets to the wayside, adam taking up post in front of the window. he is not particularly wakeful, his thoughts disorganized from the inclination to sleep, but something deeper in him is restless. it feels as if his synapses firing too fast, his whole body alight. in the quiet of the room, adam’s body seems unmoored. he could be as large and looming as the cosmos outside the ship, as intangible as the energy that flows through him. a voice breaks this awful reverie, and adam does not jump, but he eases back into the tactile sensations of the present. there’s a chill in the air.

"poor baby. is it hard to be a superstar?" illyana's tone drips mocking -- the fond kind, the kind she teases with. but it's not always easy to tell. she sticks her hand out to ruffle luna's black and white hair, mouth tugged up into a confident smirk. "what is it today, snowflake? too many fan letters? does your hand hurt from all the autographs?"

she likes luna, she does -- she's both pretty and useful, and she's fun to be around, all things considered. she likes the little gasp luna does sometimes, when she's in danger and illyana appears out of nowhere to block the hits with her soulsword. makes her feel cool, protective. like a fairytale knight. and she's ... sweet. but illyana doesn't do sweet. doesn't really know how.

that one is embarrassing. illyana doesn't need to have heard her songs. seol needs to get a grip: she's luna snow, not seol hee. luna's cool too. she's sold out arenas, had songs go platinum, and she's got freaking ice powers.

started making this, had a breakdown, bon appetite to Luna lovers.