Satans Angel

Satan’s Angel

Johnny Storm x WOC!Reader

Summary: She was hidden from the world at the age of 16 when something within her awoke. Something demonic. But she has her brother to hold onto when things start to get worse, because he’s there for her. Right?

warnings: language, blood, violence, mentions of medical problems. mentions of needles, abuse and torture. 18+

WC: 2.2K

masterlist I Chapter 1

Chapter 2 

(Y/N)’s silhouette was outlined on the wall from the glow of the TV, a nature documentary had long replaced the season finale of some space series. But she’d lost interest a long time ago.

No, her eyes were focused on the moth flickering around the lamp on the desktop in the opposite corner from her bed. It’s determination to get out of the lamp shade brought the (E/C) eyes to it desperate figure. Such a small thing making so much noise. Trapped in its new cage.

Funny.

‘I stopped making noise a long time ago.’

Her thoughts echoed in the emptiness of her head, a head that was still making its way out of the fog it had been pushed into. But like always, her body was use to it. The constant battle from herself and those around her. Fighting a common enemy – her.

Turning her head to the side (Y/N) watched as the sun’s crest peak over the horizon, the sign that she has began a new day. The trees sparkled as the light reflected off the snow and ice, the birds sang a greeting to the world and their neighbours as they ruffled their feathers and spread their wings. (Y/N) watched and listened as the world around her started to awaken, but she had never fallen asleep.

After she awoke from the slumber Doctor Tempest put her under, her body was still feeling the weight of sleep, but her mind was alive. Quietly alive. Six day had passed as she slept in her bed, six days of doctors and nurses poking her body with needles, six days of the moon and sun each taking turns to watch the broken women slowly come back to consciousness. But unknown to her, not once in those six days did the infamous Victor Von-Doom come visit her. He was too preoccupied with his upcoming meeting with Reed Richards, a man that needed his ship to conduct an experiment. He didn’t know the full detail yet. That meeting would happen later today.

But not a single thought was on his sister throughout those six days, but he did visit the lab every so often to see if they made any progress with her tests. But like always nothing came back. So, he had the nurses lie to his (Y/N), he told them that if she ask, tell her what she wants to hear.

__

The sun was bright, it calmed her. Soothed her. It was a saving grace after being stuck inside for so long.

“I have your fruit and yoghurt here, and the waffles are just being prepared as we speak,” a body sat itself down onto the chair opposite the women, their eyes watched as brown skin glowed in the sun’s warmth. Without a thought, a smile slithered its way onto the man face, wrinkles appeared around his green eyes as he watched the woman, he’d known for a long time to catch those rare moments of peace. His eyes left (Y/N) and travelled around the open space as he leant back against the woven chair. It had been a long time since he’d been outside with (Y/N); the sedative she was given helped her body freely heal itself without her tensing and drawing out the process. So, now she is likely to have a couple of weeks without another mishap. Maybe even a few months, but one never wishes too much.

“Do you know what Victor is doing today,” her eyes remained closed as she addressed the relax giant sitting opposite her, his frame dwarfed the chair he was sat in. He was practical a walking wall, but his personality didn’t even being to match his physique.

“Yeah, he’s got that meetin’ with Richards and Grimm,” Clinking could be heard and then a low ‘thank you’ and not long after the sweet smell of waffles engulfed (Y/N)’s senses. Inhaling deeply, she opened her eyes and was immediately met with the sight of physical heaven, not wasting any time she grabbed her fork and stabbed the fluffy circle.

“I know he didn’t come to see me; the nurses aren’t good liars.” The fork stopped just before it could enter his mouth, his lips twitched as he made eye contact with the woman in front of him. Gulping he set his food down and answered.

“Ha. How did you know?” the man seemed to shrink in on himself, the intensity of those (E/C) eyes made him wish he had just choked on his bacon.

“I don’t know I just kind of knew.” And with that (Y/N) began eating again. The sound of metal scraping against plates filled the cool air. No one spoke, eyes tracing the sky and birds.

“Give me your phone.” Her hand was stretched out towards the man, who had once again frozen in place with a sceptical look in his face. Slowly, as if he were going to scare a timid animal away, he reached for his phone and placed it into the awaiting hand. “You’re not going to call you brother, are you?”

“No.” And he knew by the look on her face that the conversation was paused. On his end that is. “Where is he now?” her eyebrow raised in question, like a child, the man in front of her looked anywhere but her eyes.

“Zion, please. I just want to get out of here. And you’re my bodyguard, so help guard me by letting me leave this fucking place.”

“What kind of backwards logic do you have rattalin’ inside that head of yours (Y/N)? I ain’t saying a thing,” the woman in question huffed out a laugh as she watched the man squirm in front of her. She looked down at the phone in her hand and started to enter the passcode, once she was through, she went through the motions of finding the desired contact.

“You know, your accent really comes through when you lie or are nervous. So please Zion, think about this or your donut privileges get taken when your wife finds out.” Her little threat was triumphant as Zion broke.

“He’s in New York, for the Richards meeting.” He was met with a ‘hum’ from (Y/N) as she brought the ringing phone to her ear. There was a moment of silence before Zion could see (Y/N) visibly perk up, some one answered the phone and he hoped it wasn’t her brother.

“Susan, hello. I need your help.”

__

New York city.

She had done the exact opposite of what Victor had told her to do. She left his facility in the Alps and was currently on the rode to the launch site. She needed to experience something before it would all end. And when she had learned from Susan that Victor had gone through with Reed’s plan, she didn’t even think before she jumped at the chance to go to space.

Of all places Reed Richards wanted to go to it had to be space.

The past few day had been a blur, getting the semi-all clear from Doctor Tempest was a bit tricky because she had to convince him that she was going to be okay. That was lie number one. She then had to convince Susan that Victor would be happy to see her there, lie number two. And then, she had to convince herself that if she had the opportunity she wouldn’t jump out of the ship into the wide unknown and die. That was obviously lie number three.

But sat in the car, wind blowing through her locks, she knew deep down that this was meant to happen.

“I hope you know that he’s going to hate you. And that is not my problem.” Sluggishly turning her head to the side, (Y/N) watched as Zion clenched his jaw in irritation. The greys streaks in his bread shining in the sunlight, contrasting beautifully with his dark skin. (Y/N) savoured this moment, the sight of the father figure she had grown to love sat next to her, possibly for the last time.

“We both know you’ll make it your problem.” They both looked at each other for a split second, unspoken words captured and understood.

Before anyone could say anything, a shout in the distance made them both look ahead. They had arrived. The building loomed over them, a reminder of the power it held. People were scattering back and forth, going from one place to another.

A smile graced her face, she was really outside.

Her (E/C) eyes were scanning everything; it took some strength for her not to run from one thing to another. The way almost everything had changed made her excited to explore the new world but at the same time it finally made her realise how she really couldn’t experience everything through people’s hearsay or a TV screen. She had to be there, in the flesh to really see how the ocean sparkled under the suns caress, how the birds danced with each other in the swing of the wind. Or how a person’s eyes shined with love and adoration. She had to be there to experience the laughter of friends and family.

Running her fingers through her locks, she sighed as caught a quick reflection of herself.

“Great, one thing I didn’t miss was the wind fucking with my hair.” She frantically searched herself for a satin scrunchie but whined in frustration when she came up short.

‘I didn’t leave it at home, did I?’

Running her hand through messy locks, she grunted as she came to the realisation that her first interaction after four years of isolation will be with her hair looking like a birds nest. And this is why sometimes she hated having kinky hair.

A noise brought her out of her existential crisis, and when she turned around, she was met with a sight to behold. A gasp fell from her plump lips as she carefully took the satin scrunchie out of her saviours hold.

“Susan, I’m going to kiss you, just give me a minute.” Quickly tying up her fro, she wasted no time and flung herself into the awaiting arms of blonde woman. She reluctantly let go of Susan, her hold on her emotions was failing.

Blinking before any tears slipped out, she plastered a smile onto her face, “so a little birdy tells me things between you and my brother a kicking off. I am a little offended you didn’t tell me, yes. But we move.” Linking her arm with Susan’s, she let the blonde lead the way.

“I don’t think that is true, if you were offended, you’d have come down here sooner.” Laughter followed the pair as they made their way to their destination.

Finally, they reached their destination. A small room sparsely decorated held the two suits that they would both be wearing. (Y/N), let go of Susan and walked over to them.

“What is this, I don’t think this will fit me.” She nervously chuckled as she looked over her shoulder at Sue who was shaking her head at the baffled woman. Sue glided over to her and picked up her own suit.

“Victor designed them; the synthetics act as a second skin adapting to your body’s individual needs. So, it will fit honey.”

“Self-regulating molecules huh? Nice.” And with that she made no fuss as she put it on. Minutes later the two women were putting the final touches to the space outfit before there was a knock on the door. (Y/N) looked over at Sue and followed her as she stepped over to answer the door.

“The others have arrived ma’am.” Susan replied with a quick ‘thank you’ and gestured to (Y/N) to follow her, she quickly picked something up before they both left the room. With wide strides the two women walked through a crowded hallway, exchanging hellos and smiles to the people they passed. (Y/N) noticed that only a handful of people she passed recognised her, she could tell by the look of shock plastered onto their faces when they saw her. She really didn’t expect any less, it had been a long time since she had wondered outside the facility. The last time was at Uncle Boris’s funeral.

“The look on your hard-ass CO’s face when he finds out he’s your junior officer: priceless.” (Y/N) watched as the interaction between Ben and some man went down. Her eyebrow arched in curiosity and scanned the man perched on the edge of the seat, his muscles were being defined rather nicely in the suit that apparently everyone was wearing, but her attention was cut short when she heard a deep voice cut through her thoughts. And before she could look up, strong arms encircled her body and lifted her in the air.

“God, you’ve gotten big squirt,” the rumble of Ben’s voice automatically made her body relax as she slowly returned the hug. As her feet touched the floor, she was able to properly get a look at the man; she giggled as the light made his forehead shine, his vivid green eyes made him look younger. The way they twinkled always made her wonder if anything could ever put her down. The last time they had talked, Mr Grimm had just proposed to Debb, and she couldn’t have been any happier for him.

But deep down it hurt, everyone was moving on with their lives. Finding love, having a family, grieving. But what did she have.

What did she have?

Thank you soo much. I will be using these religiously.

Homelander Dividers

Please like and reblog if you use or save.​​​​

Requested by @operation-619

Dividers List

My darling, at the end of the day those words stay words. You create and transpire words into living things, you share the wonders of your mind with us. It’s is a small number of people that come in here to criticise, but the number that praise and spread love is triple that. As some one who suffers from anxiety and depression, this is my escape from a world that is grey. You, are a wonderful person. A talented and courageous individual, to not only post your words on here. But to also speak up about the hate you have received and challenge that.

This is a safe space for a lot of people, and I love that so much. So please, be kind and think before you act.

And thank you. @ladyeliot

28th March

Good afternoon, I hope you enjoyed the week. Here I am for another Sunday with some Marvel recommendations, and while I’m at it, I’d like to comment on something. 

The other day I received the first anonymous ‘criticising’ the fan fiction I write, I guess it won’t be the last and I guess it will have happened to all of you more than once. I think that all of us who are on this social network, sharing our writings, are here for different reasons, many of them related to “fleeing” or “escaping” from our daily lives. For me, being here writing about my favourite movie/comic universe is an escape from my stressful life, it helps me to disconnect, to reduce my stress and anxiety. I know it might be a stupid thing to write, silly, but it works as a personal therapy for me. I believe that for many who are here writing, or reading, it also helps them, that’s why I think that hate, rude comments or any kind of action against, what it will generate is that these people who are in TUMBLR to escape from their life, don’t feel safe here. I just ask that if you don’t like what people write, fine, but respect it. There are plenty of insecurities in real life, don’t create them here too. Finally, I want to send all my support to all those who are here.

Love to all of you. 

P.S.: I’m sorry if there are any spelling mistakes, I’m not an English expert.

Avengers

A New Hope by @fallingfavourites

Bucky + Steve + Sam /  bit of spoilers for TFATWS

Bucky Barnes

it’s ok if you forget me ✧ bucky barnes by @starrybrock

it’s ok if you forget about bucky—it’s what he deserves.

Carol Danvers

Sunset by @kram6496​

Drabble

Parties and Jealousy by @sarahp-stan​

[+18] Something with Carol. I need a Carol x reader where reader is making Carol jealous at one of Tony’s parties so she could go home and finish what she started.

Clint Barton

December by @toomanyrobins

Clint Barton, college football star, has a new interest: Y/N Y/L/N. But with her father gone all of the time, a younger brother, and going to college, Y/N has no time for dating. Will Clint get the yes, or will life get in the way?

Johnny Storm

Satan’s Angel by @operation-619​

[+18] She was hidden from the world as the age of 16 when something within her awoke. Something demonic. But she has her brother to hold onto when things start to get worse, because he’s there for her. Right?

Maria Hill

Lost by @marvels-writings​

She’s lost without you, and when she finally finds you, a goodbye looms in the distance.

Natasha Romanoff

My girl by @junajackson

You and Natasha have been dating for a while, maybe it’s time for the team to find out 

Pietro Maximoff

The Hearts of the Hopeless by @sunny-reys

You are utterly in love with Pietro Maximoff, but he’s an Avenger, and way out of your league. Pietro is utterly in love with Y/N L/N, but she’s an effortlessly cool S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and completely beyond him. However, they may reveal certain truths after one jealousy-filled night at a local bar.

Tony Stark

I miss you by  @johnnyshellby​

Inspired By: Gorgeous by Mansionz

Sam Wilson

The art of self care by @dameronology

After a long week at work, sam wilson waits for you at home 

New suit by @pointbreak-odinson​

Black!Reader - This fic does not have any TFAWS spoilers and (as usual) does not give a fuck about Endgame, meaning our favorite dysfunctional couple Tony and Steve are alive. Steve simply passed on the mantle.

Steve Rogers

Somewhere in 1949  by @interstellarflowers​

tw: sad, depression, grief, allusion to PTSD

Valkyrie

Valkyrie ~ Queen’s Stress Relief by @captains-simp​

[+18] Established fwb (kinda) relationship, dom!Valkyrie, spanking, degrading, oral, strap on

Hey, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you so much. This might not seem like much, but to me it’s everything.

21st March

Hello again! I hope you are enjoying your Sunday, again I bring some recommendations that I think deserve more love. Tonight I will upload a new One Shot, happy start of the week.

Love to all of you.

Avengers

Hell on Earth by @starshipsofstarlord​

As a teenager living in the compound, and a member of Earth’s mightiest heroes, there are often misunderstandings due to your powers. However, you express the darkness of your abilities through your style, and it serves as a warning to all other, unfortunately, not everybody gets the memo.

Bucky Barnes

Crash and Burn by @rubyrosettared​

Set after the events of Civil War and before the events of Black Panther, Infinity War and Endgame. Bucky is recuperating in Wakanda. After a fight with the reader, he questions why he should be forgiven for what he did as the Winter Soldier. Written from Bucky’s perspective. First person.

Carol Danvers

Until the end by @hiiraya​

Angst, happy ending, carol is soft for the reader 

Natasha Romanoff

The Fallen One by @yourtaletotell​

An alternative ending, for EndGame.

Peter Parker

Grief by @mads-weasley​

Peter feels something wrong, but when he doesn’t see you at the end of the battle, he knows you’re hurt, or worse. 

Paint by @itsapeterthing​

Peter sees a figure walking through the trees during his run and investigates only to meet a girl named y/n painting in the woods.

Sam Wilson

Confidence by @antheiagoddessofwriting

Fluffy Sam, nervous Sam, nervous reader, angst, pining. Mentions of VA and trauma of reader’s friend.

Steve Rogers

My Timid Hello, My Clumsy Goodbye by @anika-ann

You’re spending the evening and the night before your wedding with the two most important men of your life. When the sun rises again, you’ll say your ‘I do’ in a close circle of friends and family. It’s not a goodbye to your old life and it’s not a hello to some enormous change; but you will no longer be a Barton. You will be a Rogers. Why not reminisce a bit?

Her by @operation-619​

Series -  AU series were Bucky is safe and sound after AOU, (Y/N) (L/N) is a troubled woman with a haunting past, and its coming back to enslave her. But she doesn’t care, her interest is in a certain Captain America lead to a night that set off a series of unfortunate twists and turns. Can she come out on the other side, with her past a secret and a family to come home to. Or will she burn and take everyone down with her.

Vision

Body, Mind, and Soul by @marvelsbanner​

there simply needs to be more vision fic out there🥺 may i request a cute one where you’ve been going out for a while but the big L word hasn’t been said yet and vis is just.. trying his best to tell you but doesn’t know how🥺🥺 he’s just so cute like that😭❤️ kissy i love ur stuff

As a PoC, who mainly writes about PoCs this is the most helpful blog I have come across ever since I started writing. I find it difficult to be able to describe skin colour in the most intricate of ways, sometimes I leave subtle messages and leave it up to the reader to interpret them. But now I personally feel more comfortable with straight forward representation of my characters. 

Words for Skin Tone | How to Describe Skin Color

We discussed the issues describing People of Color by means of food in Part I of this guide, which brought rise to even more questions, mostly along the lines of “So, if food’s not an option, what can I use?” Well, I was just getting to that!

This final portion focuses on describing skin tone, with photo and passage examples provided throughout. I hope to cover everything from the use of straight-forward description to the more creatively-inclined, keeping in mind the questions we’ve received on this topic.

Standard Description

Basic Colors

Pictured above: Black, Brown, Beige, White, Pink.

“She had brown skin.”

This is a perfectly fine description that, while not providing the most detail, works well and will never become cliché.

Describing characters’ skin as simply brown or beige works on its own, though it’s not particularly telling just from the range in brown alone.

Complex Colors

These are more rarely used words that actually “mean” their color. Some of these have multiple meanings, so you’ll want to look into those to determine what other associations a word might have.

Pictured above: Umber, Sepia, Ochre, Russet, Terra-cotta, Gold, Tawny, Taupe, Khaki, Fawn.

Complex colors work well alone, though often pair well with a basic color in regards to narrowing down shade/tone.

For example: Golden brown, russet brown, tawny beige…

As some of these are on the “rare” side, sliding in a definition of the word within the sentence itself may help readers who are unfamiliar with the term visualize the color without seeking a dictionary.

“He was tall and slim, his skin a russet, reddish-brown.”

Comparisons to familiar colors or visuals are also helpful:

“His skin was an ochre color, much like the mellow-brown light that bathed the forest.”

Modifiers

Modifiers, often adjectives, make partial changes to a word.The following words are descriptors in reference to skin tone.

Dark - Deep - Rich - Cool

Warm - Medium - Tan

Fair - Light - Pale

Rich Black, Dark brown, Warm beige, Pale pink…

If you’re looking to get more specific than “brown,” modifiers narrow down shade further.

Keep in mind that these modifiers are not exactly colors.

As an already brown-skinned person, I get tan from a lot of sun and resultingly become a darker, deeper brown. I turn a pale, more yellow-brown in the winter.

While best used in combination with a color, I suppose words like “tan” “fair” and “light” do work alone; just note that tan is less likely to be taken for “naturally tan” and much more likely a tanned White person.

Calling someone “dark” as description on its own is offensive to some and also ambiguous. (See: Describing Skin as Dark)

Undertones

Undertones are the colors beneath the skin, seeing as skin isn’t just one even color but has more subdued tones within the dominating palette.

pictured above: warm / earth undertones: yellow, golden, copper, olive, bronze, orange, orange-red, coral | cool / jewel undertones: pink, red, blue, blue-red, rose, magenta, sapphire, silver. 

Mentioning the undertones within a character’s skin is an even more precise way to denote skin tone.

As shown, there’s a difference between say, brown skin with warm orange-red undertones (Kelly Rowland) and brown skin with cool, jewel undertones (Rutina Wesley).

“A dazzling smile revealed the bronze glow at her cheeks.”

“He always looked as if he’d ran a mile, a constant tinge of pink under his tawny skin.”

Standard Description Passage

“Farah’s skin, always fawn, had burned and freckled under the summer’s sun. Even at the cusp of autumn, an uneven tan clung to her skin like burrs. So unlike the smooth, red-brown ochre of her mother, which the sun had richened to a blessing.”

-From my story “Where Summer Ends” featured in Strange Little Girls

Here the state of skin also gives insight on character.

Note my use of “fawn” in regards to multiple meaning and association. While fawn is a color, it’s also a small, timid deer, which describes this very traumatized character of mine perfectly.

Though I use standard descriptions of skin tone more in my writing, at the same time I’m no stranger to creative descriptions, and do enjoy the occasional artsy detail of a character.

Creative Description

Whether compared to night-cast rivers or day’s first light…I actually enjoy seeing Characters of Colors dressed in artful detail.

I’ve read loads of descriptions in my day of white characters and their “smooth rose-tinged ivory skin”, while the PoC, if there, are reduced to something from a candy bowl or a Starbucks drink, so to actually read of PoC described in lavish detail can be somewhat of a treat.

Still, be mindful when you get creative with your character descriptions. Too many frills can become purple-prose-like, so do what feels right for your writing when and where. Not every character or scene warrants a creative description, either. Especially if they’re not even a secondary character.

Using a combination of color descriptions from standard to creative is probably a better method than straight creative. But again, do what’s good for your tale.

Natural Settings - Sky

Pictured above: Harvest Moon -Twilight, Fall/Autumn Leaves, Clay, Desert/Sahara, Sunlight - Sunrise - Sunset - Afterglow - Dawn- Day- Daybreak, Field - Prairie - Wheat, Mountain/Cliff, Beach/Sand/Straw/Hay.

Now before you run off to compare your heroine’s skin to the harvest moon or a cliff side, think about the associations to your words.

When I think cliff, I think of jagged, perilous, rough. I hear sand and picture grainy, yet smooth. Calm. mellow.

So consider your character and what you see fit to compare them to.

Also consider whose perspective you’re describing them from. Someone describing a person they revere or admire may have a more pleasant, loftier description than someone who can’t stand the person.

“Her face was like the fire-gold glow of dawn, lifting my gaze, drawing me in.”

“She had a sandy complexion, smooth and tawny.”

Even creative descriptions tend to draw help from your standard words.

Flowers

Pictured above: Calla lilies, Western Coneflower, Hazel Fay, Hibiscus, Freesia, Rose

It was a bit difficult to find flowers to my liking that didn’t have a 20 character name or wasn’t called something like “chocolate silk” so these are the finalists. 

You’ll definitely want to avoid purple-prose here.

Also be aware of flowers that most might’ve never heard of. Roses are easy, as most know the look and coloring(s) of this plant. But Western coneflowers? Calla lilies? Maybe not so much.

“He entered the cottage in a huff, cheeks a blushing brown like the flowers Nana planted right under my window. Hazel Fay she called them, was it?”

Assorted Plants & Nature

Pictured above: Cattails, Seashell, Driftwood, Pinecone, Acorn, Amber

These ones are kinda odd. Perhaps because I’ve never seen these in comparison to skin tone, With the exception of amber.

At least they’re common enough that most may have an idea what you’re talking about at the mention of “pinecone." 

I suggest reading out your sentences aloud to get a better feel of how it’ll sounds.

"Auburn hair swept past pointed ears, set around a face like an acorn both in shape and shade.”

I pictured some tree-dwelling being or person from a fantasy world in this example, which makes the comparison more appropriate.

I don’t suggest using a comparison just “cuz you can” but actually being thoughtful about what you’re comparing your character to and how it applies to your character and/or setting.

Wood

Pictured above: Mahogany, Walnut, Chestnut, Golden Oak, Ash

Wood can be an iffy description for skin tone. Not only due to several of them having “foody” terminology within their names, but again, associations.

Some people would prefer not to compare/be compared to wood at all, so get opinions, try it aloud, and make sure it’s appropriate to the character if you do use it.

“The old warlock’s skin was a deep shade of mahogany, his stare serious and firm as it held mine.”

Metals

Pictured above: Platinum, Copper, Brass, Gold, Bronze

Copper skin, brass-colored skin, golden skin…

I’ve even heard variations of these used before by comparison to an object of the same properties/coloring, such as penny for copper.

These also work well with modifiers.

“The dress of fine white silks popped against the deep bronze of her skin.”

Gemstones - Minerals

Pictured above: Onyx, Obsidian, Sard, Topaz, Carnelian, Smoky Quartz, Rutile, Pyrite, Citrine, Gypsum

These are trickier to use. As with some complex colors, the writer will have to get us to understand what most of these look like.

If you use these, or any more rare description, consider if it actually “fits” the book or scene.

Even if you’re able to get us to picture what “rutile” looks like, why are you using this description as opposed to something else? Have that answer for yourself.

“His skin reminded her of the topaz ring her father wore at his finger, a gleaming stone of brown, mellow facades.” 

Physical Description

Physical character description can be more than skin tone.

Show us hair, eyes, noses, mouth, hands…body posture, body shape, skin texture… though not necessarily all of those nor at once.

Describing features also helps indicate race, especially if your character has some traits common within the race they are, such as afro hair to a Black character.

How comprehensive you decide to get is up to you. I wouldn’t overdo it and get specific to every mole and birthmark. Noting defining characteristics is good, though, like slightly spaced front teeth, curls that stay flopping in their face, hands freckled with sunspots…

General Tips

Indicate Race Early: I suggest indicators of race be made at the earliest convenience within the writing, with more hints threaded throughout here and there.

Get Creative On Your Own: Obviously, I couldn’t cover every proper color or comparison in which has been “approved” to use for your characters’ skin color, so it’s up to you to use discretion when seeking other ways and shades to describe skin tone.

Skin Color May Not Be Enough: Describing skin tone isn’t always enough to indicate someone’s ethnicity. As timeless cases with readers equating brown to “dark white” or something, more indicators of race may be needed.

Describe White characters and PoC Alike: You should describe the race and/or skin tone of your white characters just as you do your Characters of Color. If you don’t, you risk implying that White is the default human being and PoC are the “Other”).

PSA: Don’t use “Colored.” Based on some asks we’ve received using this word, I’d like to say that unless you or your character is a racist grandmama from the 1960s, do not call People of Color “colored” please. 

Not Sure Where to Start? You really can’t go wrong using basic colors for your skin descriptions. It’s actually what many people prefer and works best for most writing. Personally, I tend to describe my characters using a combo of basic colors + modifiers, with mentions of undertones at times. I do like to veer into more creative descriptions on occasion.

Want some alternatives to “skin” or “skin color”? Try: Appearance, blend, blush, cast, coloring, complexion, flush, glow, hue, overtone, palette, pigmentation, rinse, shade, sheen, spectrum, tinge, tint, tone, undertone, value, wash.

Skin Tone Resources

List of Color Names

The Color Thesaurus

Skin Undertone & Color Matching

Tips and Words on Describing Skin

Photos: Undertones Described (Modifiers included)

Online Thesaurus (try colors, such as “red” & “brown”)

Don’t Call me Pastries: Creative Skin Tones w/ pics I 

Writing & Description Guides

WWC Featured Description Posts

WWC Guide: Words to Describe Hair

Writing with Color: Description & Skin Color Tags

7 Offensive Mistakes Well-intentioned Writers Make

I tried to be as comprehensive as possible with this guide, but if you have a question regarding describing skin color that hasn’t been answered within part I or II of this guide, or have more questions after reading this post, feel free to ask!

~ Mod Colette

Steve Rogers

WOC/Reader

AU series were Bucky is safe and sound after AOU, (Y/N) (L/N) is a troubled woman with a haunting past, and its coming back to enslave her. But she doesn’t care, her interest is in a certain Captain America lead to a night that set off a series of unfortunate twists and turns. Can she come out on the other side, with her past a secret and a family to come home to. Or will she burn and take everyone down with her.

Her: I-Forest , II-Crimson , III-Hiraeth

My home isn’t a place - where you’ve come to know these people well enough home isn’t a physical object.  Coming soon

Call me when its over - she’s just a friend, right? Coming soon