Tom

Backstory Summary:

• Grew up middle-class, likely suburban or small city background. Family is supportive and lives nearby, though not heavily present in his current life.

• Works in finance, a career that pays well but isn’t his passion. He finds small joys elsewhere, like his community garden project, which he won a local award for.

• Met Gwen outside of SHIELD/Avenger contexts — possibly through a shared community event or a random meet-cute (coffee shop, bookstore, etc.). She never told him about her Avenger identity, only that she was a botanist working in Avengers Tower.

• His relationship with Gwen is marked by ease and warmth — dinners, bar dates, cheesy jokes. It’s uncomplicated compared to the rest of her life, which is part of why she treasures it.

Role in Story

• Represents Gwen’s "normal life" and grounding influence.

• His ignorance of her Avenger role causes tension — secrecy, betrayal.

• Offers emotional stakes for Gwen: her double life and the risk of losing someone normal who treats her as just Gwen.

• Becomes a target of commentary/criticism (Loki in particular) but also a way for the team to see Gwen differently once they learn about him.

Personality Traits:

Strengths:

• • Kind & Steady: Reliable and genuinely good-hearted, he puts effort into relationships and is considerate of others.

  • Cheesy Humor: Leans into groan-worthy puns and cheesy jokes, often trying to make Gwen laugh.

  • Grounded: A foil to Gwen’s high-stakes Avenger life — he’s stable, dependable, and provides normalcy.

  • Gentle Confidence: Not flashy, but secure in who he is. Comfortable letting Gwen shine.

  • Romantic in a Low-Key Way: Prefers simple gestures (flowers, dinners, dancing at small bars) to grand ones.

Flaws:

• • Very normal — lacks the flash or intensity of Gwen’s Avenger circle, which makes him vulnerable to ridicule (especially from Loki and Tony).

  • Conflict-averse; tends to withdraw when upset instead of confronting directly.

  • Can come off as "boring" compared to Gwen’s high-octane life.
    
    

Habits/Quirks:

• • Allergic to shellfish, community garden award winner, indie rock fan
    
    

Abilities / Skills:
 

• Great with numbers and detail-oriented from his finance work.

• Surprisingly good gardener (green thumb, though nothing compared to Gwen).

• Strong emotional intelligence — reads moods well and adjusts.

• Good dancer (not professional, but can hold his own at a bar or wedding).

Appearance Notes:

• Age: Early 30’s

• Height: Average (5’9–5’11 range)

• Build: Fit but not athletic — the kind of guy who jogs occasionally but isn’t a gym rat

• Complexion: 

• Hair: Dark brown, neatly styled but simple, not flashy (think Jonathan Bailey if he lost 50% of his natural charm and lived like a regular office worker)

• Eyes: Warm brown

• Overall Look: Approachable, friendly, "normal guy next door" charm. Doesn’t stand out in a crowd, but people feel comfortable around him.

• Notable Features:

• Everyday Style: Business casual during the week (lots of button-downs and khakis, to Loki’s horror), jeans and sweaters on weekends, sometimes a blazer on dates. Not a sharp dresser but puts in effort when it matters.

Relationships Overview:

• Gwen Barkridge (Girlfriend): Sweet, natural chemistry. Dates are low-key and filled with cheesy humor and easy rapport. She values him because he doesn’t see her as an Avenger, just Gwen.

• The Avengers (Eventually Meets): Awkward at first; Tony and Loki ridicule him, Natasha is protective, Steve is polite, Thor is amused. Tom wants Thor’s autograph, which humanizes him to the team.

• Loki: Open disdain. Loki calls him boring, dull, forgettable — but his criticisms reveal jealousy and an underlying respect for Gwen.