#tony and steve in a nutshell;;

[chrisevansshield]

Basically this scene in a nutshell:

Natasha: Tony is an egotistical asshole who doesn’t care for others and I will take that to my grave.

Thor: Lowkey agree but we shouldn’t fight him. (He probably also has a degradation kink)

Clint, Hulk, and Sam: 🧍‍♂️

Tony: the cause of the chaos

Steve: grabs Tony tiddies first, calms the fight, then proceeds to gaze at him while telling him he trusts him

[luna-rainbow]

I was just reading this ask you answered (luna-rainbow/785155534556905472) about how Peggy was positioned in CATWS as basically the founder of SHIELD. and my memory of endgame is murky, but Peggy was shown either co-running SHIELD or a high-ranking member. in that ask & answer, both go over how strange it was that peggy wasn't targeted by hydra.

but the other question is - HOW was Peggy even allowed to found and run SHIELD? it's extremely unusual that a non-US born citizen has held a high-ranking position in an intelligence agency. IRL, it has never happened that a non-US born person has served as the head of one, let alone actually FOUND one.

IRL, there have been a handful that have had Cabinet-level posts, but not led intelligence agencies (perhaps the two most notable: Madeleine Albright, and of course, Henry Kissinger).

Of the two, the most direct comparison to Peggy would actually be Kissinger; served in the Cold War era, and was considered a master of strategic power politics. Kissinger is seen as a central figure in “realpolitik”, where power, national interest, and strategic advantage is considered better over ethical considerations, and diplomatic intervention is better than idealism or peaceful negotiation.

This was SHIELD in a nutshell, especially working with Zola, and would have been the only way that Peggy would have been allowed to serve as a high-ranking intelligence figure in Cold-War America (I mean, even Operation Paperclip is an example of this kind of politics, and in MCU canon, SHIELD [Peggy and Howard] are the ones to bring him in, even knowing what he did). And it fits with Peggy’s characterization in the MCU. It’s the central point of her characterization, and why in the narrative esp in TFA, she is the foil to Steve’s idealism and “righteousness”.

But, funnily enough, there is at least one other character who is a Kissinger-based intelligence official in the MCU: Alexander Pierce. His goal was to secure and advance survival and power (not of the state, but of Hydra), and where the ends justify the means (he is also the narrative foil, even physically!, to Steve in TWS). And like Kissinger, Pierce was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, which many see as controversial.

Like with all things in the MCU, you can’t tell if Marvel did this on purpose, but in a structural way, the character that is most comparable to Peggy in the narrative is Pierce, which further deepens the question of “hey, why didn’t Hydra go after her, and hey, how could Hydra thrive under the nose of a woman who was otherwise characterized in the script as being presciently capable?”

How interesting.

Thanks for the detailed commentary!

I do tend to think that it’s mostly unintentional, because it feels like most of the main movie writers didn’t put much thought into what Peggy represented with her actions. The way she is treated (eg Steve going to her for advice) is directly at odds with what she’s implied to have done in canon.

I’d be interested to hear other people’s thoughts but Peggy (and Tony) feels a product of the 90s and 00s — not just the “not like other girls”/“one of those boys” trope common during those years, but her morality being “willing to get her hands dirty” and “doing what must be done but no one else would do”. There’s a reason that Steve is mocked in the Whedon movies as the uptight morality police who yells “language”.

CATWS is fairly unique in how it allowed its hero to be unapologetically and unashamedly good. In other movies, particularly the Iron Man ones, there’s a sense that being “good” is pretentious. I think it’s taking the idea of “humans are allowed to be imperfect even as heroes” too far into “being good is too try hard”.

So yeah, I agree and I think the Steve from that movie would have re-examined how Hydra was built and what that means for Peggy’s part in it.

[ao3feed-irondadspiderson]

we ain't angry at you love you're the greatest thing we've lost..

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64943953 by valentinevoid The avengers had a routine, courtesy of one Peter Parker. It's something they so easily did, no longer thinking anything of it as time passed and it became second nature. Until of course, Peter died. OR: tid bits of the avengers after peter died Words: 2784, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Series: Part 10 of peter in a nutshell Fandoms: Marvel Cinematic Universe, Spider-Man - All Media Types Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Major Character Death Characters: Tony Stark, Peter Parker, Natasha Romanov (Marvel), Bruce Banner, Steve Rogers, Scott Lang, James "Bucky" Barnes, Sam Wilson (Marvel), James "Rhodey" Rhodes, Pepper Potts, Thor (Marvel), Vision (Marvel), Wanda Maximoff Relationships: Avengers Team Members & Peter Parker, Peter Parker & Tony Stark Additional Tags: Dead Peter Parker, Domestic Avengers, Avengers Feels, Avengers Team Members as Family (Marvel), The Avengers Love Peter Parker, Dead Aunt May Parker (Marvel), New York, Peter Parker-centric, Tony Stark Has a Heart, Tony Stark Feels, Angst, Implied/Referenced Character Death, Bittersweet Ending, Not Beta Read read it on AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/64943953

[finitepeace]

january-march reads: stevetony

stony I've read in the past three months

How to Date a Superhero Without Even Trying by sabrecmc | based on a prompt from a Tumblr Anon, it's 2am and Tony drunk dials his ex. He gets Captain America instead. (Warning for attempted non-con that is most definitely interrupted.)

Ripple Effect (post-IW time travel fix it) by sabrecmc | After the events of Infinity War, Steve is sent back in time on a desperate mission to find the Tesseract. Instead, he meets up with 21-year old Tony, still reeling from his parents' deaths. Who, naturally, tries to climb Steve like a tree. Somehow, this fixes everything.

(Restricted) While Everyone's Lost (The Battle Is Won) by jukeboxhound | E, 6.9k words | Steve closes his eyes in 1945 and wakes up in 2012. Well. They certainly didn’t put that on the recruiting poster.

The Future by InesStarkDowney | T, 1.6k words | After the whole Germany thing, Peter is quick to spend a lot of time with his mentor, Tony Stark. And despite feeling and acting like a fanboy over his mentor, Peter is quick to find several things that he wasn't aware about Tony, simply because it's not public knowledge, like: Tony Stark is a very sad man. Peter wants to change that.

You can make this figure with your hips by haemodye | E, 6.2k words | Tony wakes up with a screaming headache, years into the future, where almost everyone he loves is dead.

Bless The Broken Road by PinkEasterEggs | G, 104k words | In 1950, Peter Carter goes missing. In 2005, a boy who looks exactly like Peggy Carter and Steve Roger's kidnapped son is found. Tony doesn't even hesitate (okay, he may have hesitated a little) to take the boy under his wing.

the steve rogers rating system by meidui | G, 866 words | Tony has an internalised Steve Rogers rating system, but it’s not standardised. It’s also not a foolproof system because Steve behaves in ways that crash it all the time.

Kingdom of Iron, Kingdom of Clay [unfinished] by WhenasInSilks | E, 9.9k words | Tony isn't pining. He can’t afford to--doesn't have space for it in his head. It's hard enough just to do his job while wading through the murky waters of post-Accords international politics, and Steve Rogers? He’s a liability, in more ways than one. That's why Tony laid down the law at the end of their last, ill-conceived encounter. “Take care of yourself, Cap. Stay the fuck out of my life.” If only Steve weren’t so lousy at following orders (aka the one where Steve and Tony have a conversation, and then another conversation, and then bang things out in a hotel. There's a lot more nuance, world building, character detail, emotional turmoil, etc. but, like. In a nutshell. part of a series)

ends of the earth by meidui | T, 2k words | “We have a new deal,” Tony interrupts. “From now on, you feel like you messed up, you come home to me. You come home to New York and we figure it out together. If you’re on this cross country road trip and living on a farm because you like it, fine, I’ll come out and visit. But if you’re out here because you’re sorry, I’ve got some bad news for you, buddy. Not even you could fix the entire world.”

A Teddy Bear Named Steve by nightwalker | G, 2.6k words | While cleaning out the attic, Tony finds some old friends he thought long lost.

capsize by killaidanturner | T, 4.4 k words | For the first time Steve sees Peggy in Tony, he always thought it was Howard, the showman, but all along it’s been Peggy and the way that she had her shoulders pulled just a little bit back to make her appear taller.

Life After You by ashinan | G, 2.5k words | Steve knew Peggy had a life after the war. He just didn't think it included telling stories to a young Tony Stark.

Fairy Godmother by Amuly (restricted) | T, 5.1k words | Auntie Peggy has been telling Tony stories about Captain America his whole life. Only problem is, the real thing just about measures up to the stories. Which means, of course, that Aunt Peg has to go to work, because an Aunt's work is never done.

I never knew how much I would lose by percy (shittyspacedads) | T 583 words | It's Peggy Carter's funeral, in the middle of a civil war. And she was very important to both Tony and Steve.

Trying to Bridge Dark Water by sororexitium | T, 4,9k words | Peggy was ninety-one years old and trying to bridge the gap between the then and the now. Steve and Tony were good at making that difficult.

Celestial Navigation by sabremc podfic version by cookiemom607 | original text version

[thebibliomancer]

Essential Avengers: Avengers #305: "AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!"

July, 1989

ATTACK OF THE LAVA MEN!

Attaaaaaaaack of the killer lava mennnnnnnnn!

Attaaaaaaaaaaaack of the killer lava mennnnnnnnn!

Alright, now is Byrne time!

He now writes both Avengers and West Coast Avengers. And draws West Coast Avengers himself.

He had big plans for the West Coast Avengers. Which we've seen unfolding.

So what's his plan for the East Coast Avengers?

Well, it looks like he's going big.

That's a hell of a roster.

Tigra, Namor, Starfox, Thor, La Espirita, Hellcat, Falcon, Beast, Wonder Man, Moondragon, Hawkeye, the Wasp, She-Hulk, Monica Rambeau, Black Panther, Scarlet Witch, Gilgamesh with no shirt or pants, Black Widow, Dr Pym, Mockingbird, Quasar, Invisible Woman, Mr Fantastic, Ben Grimm, the Vision, and Captain America.

It even seems to include most of the Fantastic Four and the whole of the West Coast Avengers. Except US Agent but eh.

Can one superhero team just eat another to get bigger? Do superhero teams have mergers?

What, in fact, is going on here?

Captain America: In a nutshell, then, at one time or another, each and every one of you has been an Avenger. Some for a long time, some for only a very short while... As chairman of the East Coast branch of the team, what I want to propose to you is this: a permanent consolidation of all members. The Avengers are the Avengers. Not two teams. Not three. One team. Everyone who has ever been an Avenger, will always be an Avenger. A member of a pool of super-powered individuals whose abilities add up to an unstoppable force for good."

Huh!

Every Avenger Ever but as the central premise for a creative run!

Hence the pretty packed roster box on the cover.

I have no idea how a roster like this is going to work.

But the assembled once and future Avengers all chime in their thoughts.

Reed and Sue Fantastic say the idea sounds fantastic. Literally. It sounds like the reasoning that led to the Fantastic Four's founding.

But even though Mr Fantastic and Invisible Woman are back with the Fantastic Four, if Cap needs them, they'll come.

Ben "Not Currently the Thing" Grimm also offers his aid.

Bee tee dubs, his five second stint with the West Coast Avengers is why he's here, at this meeting.

Beast echoes the various Fantastics. He's busy with X-Factor but if the Avengers need him, he'll be there.

Every Avenger Ever Available As Needed is a fun idea but I can't help but see it running into creator squabbles.

Is Steve Englehart just going to happily lend out his characters to Byrne whenever he wants to use them?

I mean, at the end of the day, editorial can force the issue. But I see it being an issue. Comic creators are territorial.

Further people chime in.

Hellcat says she'll be available if the Avengers need her but Tigra scoffs.

Tigra: "Why would any team need a two-bit imitation when they've got the genuine article?"

I thought you two hashed out your differences. And I also thought you were some weird cat monster at the moment.

What's the deal, Tigra?

The two cat-themed heroes almost have a catfight but various dudes break it up.

Captain America scolds that as Avengers, they need to settle their differences with "due order and dignity" which is surely ironic in the future, after several slap fights with Tony.

Tigra reluctantly reigns it in, although she promises that things between her and Patsy aren't over yet.

Back to people chiming in.

Monica Rambeau offers any assistance she can. But she's still emaciated and recovering from the draining of her power so she doesn't know what she can offer.

Captain America: "Your spirit alone makes you an invaluable asset, Captain Marvel. I'm very glad to hear you say you still want to be one of the team."

Aww.

Hawkeye chimes in that he's got his own team to concern himself with.

No, not the West Coast Avengers.

Remember, he stormed off in a huff.

We'll see what he's talking about in the next West Coast Avengers issue.

But he wants to make it very clear that unlike some people he's not going to come when he's called until everyone shows him the respect he's earned.

... Hawkeye, what the shit.

You don't even have beef with Captain America or with most of the people in this room.

Mockingbird tells him to get over himself. He's an Avenger, she's an Avenger. And if Cap needs them, they're Avengers.

Also, everyone else apparently answers off-panel or something.

I love Hawkeye's pouty little raised fist.

He's doing it to fit in but he's gonna be sullen about it.

God, there's something really funny about US Agent not getting the invite.

He's on the team by government fiat but Cap is like 'do I consider him a real Avenger no, I do not.'

That or he just ignored the invite. There's other people missing.

Dr Druid, lost in time. Black Knight, Thor forgot him in that dimensional rift. Mantis, has a lot going on right now. Hulk, never responds to messages. The year 3000 Guardians of the Galaxy, in the future. Iron Man... hey, where the fuck is Iron Man?

Every Avenger ever (that bothered to answer the phone) and a big mainstay like Iron Man isn't here?

Is being a big international criminal too much for his supposed friends to overlook?

Meanwhile? Lava men.

Just like the cover predicted.

A lava men is doomsaying over a cauldron.

Lava Man: "The ancient magicks grow weaker by the second. The darkness closes. The final darkness. Upon my actions here must hang the fate of all my race!"

This is the exact same plot as Power of the Dark Crystal.

That lava people in that were cuter though.

The lava man summons the last bit of ancient power to bring forth more lava men.

Lava Man: "Enough to crush the surface-dwellers who destroyed our people, who shattered our tomorrows...!"

Oh dammit.

What innocuous thing did the Avengers do this time that's going to prompt a whole thing?

Anyway, back with the Avengers, most of the biggest roster ever fucks off.

Because the thing about any Avenger being on call as needed means that when they're not needed, they're going to fuck off.

But a few hang around. And I'm guessing they might be something like a core roster with rotating guest Avengers for flavor?

Captain America, of course. This whole thing is his brain baby.

Black Panther sticks around since its been too long since he's done an Avengers stint. And you know T'Challa. He gets bored doing the same thing for too long. The same thing being "ruling the country that he rules."

She-Hulk, Thor, Gilgamesh, and Quasar also stick around.

I hope Gilgamesh gets a new, better costume if he's sticking around. He lost his helmet and his armor. He didn't bother changing out of civvies for that one Ellis Island fill-in issue. And he's just wearing boots and a loin cloth now.

Who do you think you are? Conan?

It's so weird that Quasar just casually gets Avengers membership off-panel. Or maybe it happened in some other book. And weird if so.

Everyone else in this biggest roster ever were past and current Avengers and then there's Quasar. The new guy. But nobody talking about how he's the new guy.

It's weird.

I got nothing bad to say about She-Hulk or Thor. They're cool.

Anyway. In what feels like a meta nod, Captain America and She-Hulk discuss how Thor makes Gilgamesh redundant.

She-Hulk says that Gilgamesh has been feeling like a fifth wheel since Thor came back. But She-Hulk didn't read the past issues. There was never an Avengers team that had Gilgamesh and didn't have Thor at the same time.

Either way, Captain America says you can't have too many heavy-hitters on a team and goes to join Thor and Gilgamesh's training session.

The training session kinda starts with a little gang up on Gilgamesh.

He smack talks Captain America's speed and does not yield to his mighty shield.

Thor gets aggrieved because dangit Captain America's shield is too good for Gilgamesh or even Thor to be handling willy nilly, even in a training session. How dare!

He throws his mighty Mjolnir at Gilgamesh. It clips his ankle and Black Panther is able to grab the shield from him.

After dunking on Captain America's speed, Gilgamesh is surprised by Black Panther and comments that his SPEED is unlike anything he's seen outside other Eternals.

Gilgamesh compliments how well the Avengers work together. He tries to pick up Mjolnir but obviously can't.

Thor recalls Mjolnir to his hand but Quasar missed the gang up on Gilgamesh memo and blasts Mjolnir right when Thor was about to throw it again, causing the mighty mallet to fly right at She-Hulk and Black Panther.

She-Hulk snags the shield and then shoves Black Panther out of the way. She blocks Mjolnir but gets knocked off her feet.

Quasar apologizes for getting caught up in the excitement and Cap scolds that carelessness could get someone killed in a real combat situation.

Captain America: "You may be a trained SHIELD agent, but you're new to the Avengers, Quasar. Join me later, and I'll be happy to run you through a few drills to sharpen your combat sense."

She-Hulk tells Cap to go easy on the new kid because "we were all young once" and "he's got cute dimples."

From Quasar's grim expression, I don't know if he takes that compliment.

Then Jarvis pops in and asks who wants snacks?

Black Panther does. Black Panther is all over that.

I wonder if this training sequence is inspired by Danger Room sequences over in X-Men.

Claremont and Byrne were basically co-plotters, although there was friction there toward the end, and starting a story with a Danger Room sequence as a quick 'here are the characters and here's what they can do' was common in their X-Men run.

This didn't start the story because the new status quo of 'any Avenger ever might show up for a story' had to be set up but it still has that same energy.

Here are the characters, here's what they do.

Anyway. A big RRRRRUUMMMMBBLLLLE hits the island and shakes the place like an earthquake. But it can't be an earthquake because Avengers Island is not an island. Its a floating platform.

(Although it is anchored in place with big pillars so it would probably still feel earthquakes?)

So something must have hit the not-island and hard enough to cause cracks in the walls and ceiling. The reinforced walls and ceiling because the Avengers know that their mansion on an island is a nice target.

Cap runs up to a window and doesn't see Manhattan. Which is weird. They're parked right off Manhattan. Where is Manhattan?

But based on the slight tremors, Black Panther deduces what has happened.

This has happened.

Dang ol' lava men hoisted the entire not-island!

The Avengers (She-Hulk, Black Panther, Quasar, Captain America, Thor, and No-Shirt Gilgamesh) run outside to find out what's going on.

She-Hulk asks the silly question of who short of Galactus could lift a not-island!

It's a very silly question because I don't think the Lava Men are close to Galactus on the power scale.

Apparently a lot of people could lift a not-island.

The Lava Men answer her question anyway by swarming up over the side and Captain America deduces that they're responsible based on how they're here.

Since Quasar is new here, Thor exposits that the Lava Men were some of the first foes that the Avengers fought. Issue #5, I believe.

And this is issue #305. Very cute, Byrne.

Captain America, who was also in issue #5, notes that these aren't the Lava Men he remembers. Their movements are too robotic. And they reform as quickly as they're smashed.

She-Hulk notes that they're also too hot to stand near. Even with Hulk toughness.

Gilgamesh tries walloping one with a tree but when it shatters, each piece gets up as a tiny Lava Man.

So She-Hulk drops a rock on them.

Which she wouldn't do if they were alive. But she doesn't think they are.

When She-Hulk smack talks Gilgamesh, he retorts he's only brought a fraction of his immortal might to bear so far.

Black Panther: "Then a fraction more would be appreciated, Gilgamesh. It does little good against these things to talk."

Oof.

T'Challa just ended that entire man's career.

I do wonder how Simonson would have been writing Gilgamesh because nobody else seems interested in doing it.

Forget Thor-lite, he's just Hercules-lite now. Big strong guy who gets grumpy when he's shown up or when a woman.

He's been stripped of his dumb armor and whatever interesting characteristics he may have had. Joking about being mythological people and with a passion for monster fighting.

What happened to you, Gilgamesh? And how soon can you go away and get replaced by Sersi?

Anyway, new boy Quasar comes up with an idea.

He asks Black Panther to lure as many Lava Men as he can to the edge of the not-island so Quasar can blast them off.

I mean. Lava Men. Water. It makes sense. Except that I'm pretty sure these dopes came OUT of the ocean to begin with.

But everyone acts like this was a really good idea so I guess it was a really good idea.

Thor even imitates it by spinning Mjolnir really fast to create a gale to push more Lava Men off.

And Cap tells Thor good job on that too so I guess knocking them off the edge is a good plan.

Not a sufficient plan though.

There's just too many. A dozen more climb onto the island for every one the Avengers knock over the edge.

She-Hulk iterates on her giant rock idea by having Gilgamesh help her use a giant rock to shovel tons of sand on a group of Lava Men.

Quasar: "I don't like the looks of this, Panther! We're losing!" Black Panther: "Never say it, Quasar. Though the Lava Men outnumber us by ten thousand to one..." Quasar: "Well, excuse my doom and gloom, Panther... But that's not much of an exaggeration! They've got the others completely surrounded!" Black Panther: "Then we must fight them from within, Quasar! Set us down inside their fiery ring!"

Black Panther claims that the idea is to mass all of the Avengers' might in one combined front but I dunnoooooo. And Cap backs him up that it's a good strategy but I don't knoooooooow.

Because. Look. The previous strategy was to knock the dudes off the edge. Circling up is basically admitting defeat. They can rush the Avengers with numbers and the Avengers can't use their biggest attacks because their friends are shoulder to shoulder with them.

And considering that it seems like the Lava Men's plan was to force the Avengers into a small circle for reasons, Black Panther choosing to jump into the circle feels less like good strategy and more like Byrne moving the pieces where they need to be and not being able to do it naturally.

The Avengers getting forced into a bad position is very possible, especially with these kinds of numbers.

Having Black Panther go 'let me get in there too' makes it come off clunky.

Anyway.

The Lava Men keep coming and coming and the Avengers' circle shrinks until its maybe 15 feet across.

Then the Lava Men get kinda goopy. They lose their human form and flow into each other into a wave of lava.

Too late, Captain America realizes this is bad. He commands everyone who can fly to grab someone and get clear of this tiny circle that turned out to be a bad idea.

But I already said it was too late.

The lava wave crashes over the Avengers and then forms a ball.

Somehow, Captain America and Black Panther do not die.

I know people can get pretty close to lava flows but its a ball. They're standing on lava. And She-Hulk comments that inside the lava ball is as hot as a blast furnace.

Thor, She-Hulk, Gilgamesh and even Quasar have super-durability or an energy shield.

Why aren't Cap and Black Panther's booties burning?

The Avengers try to bust their way free of the lava ball but any damage seals itself back up, just like how the Lava Men reformed after being attacked.

Then the ball starts to rock and then roll.

Towards the edge of the not-island.

Wow.

That's an elaborate death.

For Captain America and Black Panther.

I'm pretty sure that everyone else can survive a very long plummet into the ocean inside of a lava ball.

Unfair, the Lava Men.

Come back with a death trap that kills everyone equally.

Follow @essential-avengers for more Byrnevengers. No matter the week, no matter the team, Byrnevengers. Like, reblog, and comment maybe. I like feedback.

[unseededtoast]

Rectify | Bucky Barnes

Part 20/37 | Part Nineteen, Part Twenty One

Summary: I've lived every day for the past five years looking over my shoulder. I knew they'd come for me, it was inevitable. I was foolish to think I could outrun my past. It's followed me everywhere I go, lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Never would I have anticipated that the shadows would lead me to the light.

Bucky Barnes x OC

Series Warnings: Discussion of human trafficking, alcohol consumption, graphic depictions of violence, sexual content, discussion of suicidal thoughts.

a/n: Hi everyone, thank you for checking this out, I appreciate any and all support! This series is also posted on Ao3 and Wattpad if you prefer those formats/platforms! This is a completed series, and it's going to take some time for me to transfer it to Tumblr, so please bear with me!

"It could regulate his brain functions and stop the programming before it can start."

I tape a piece of paper to wall and take a few steps back. Since the other day my mind map has grown exponentially. There are a lot more theories than we started with, most stemming from Tony's want to apply the gem's framework to one of his protocols. It's been an uphill battle trying to convince him that it's too soon to be trying to create an artificial intelligence on this scale when we don't even understand what we're dealing with fully. However, Tony has grown tired of hearing my protests. So now, all I can do is learn about what we're dealing with so that we're better equipped for Tony's desires.

As Tony mentioned the other day, Ultron has been a fantasy of his for a while and the gem has opened the doors. Basically, Tony wants to create an artificial intelligence protocol to protect Earth from predators originating in space, and to have a suit of armor around the world to respond quickly to any emerging threat. While Bruce was on my side to begin with, I can tell Tony's winning him over, the thought of creating something so grandiose is almost intoxicating to Bruce. I'm not against the idea of creating the protocol, I'm against experimenting with unknown technology on such a large scale.

Tony and Bruce left with each other for lunch today, leaving me in the lab alone. I look to the blue model that's been hovering in the air for the past two days. I've come to the conclusion that if the framework contained within the jewel was given a proper host that it may be possible a sentient being could be created. I've been studying the way that the matrix is working and I can tell that it's taking input from the environment and processing it, much like a brain.

In addition to that, I've also come up with another idea that I haven't disclosed to anyone yet. I walk back to my desk and pull out the drawer containing my notes I've been making while I'm in here alone. Since Tony and Bruce have been infatuated with their idea, it's been relatively easy to work on this by myself. I hear the elevator ding and see both Steve and Bucky walk over, I told them to come down so I can discuss what my idea.

"What is that?" Bucky asks as he passes the model.

"That is what is contained in the gem from Loki's scepter. In a nutshell it's a brain, it takes input and processes it." I say, saving them the long and scientific explanation. I don't have much time to get through my idea before Tony and Bruce come back. I spin the piece of paper around on the table and dive right into my idea.

"Tony and Bruce don't know I've been doing this, I'm trusting you two to keep it that way for now. I think I've come up with a solution that would make the Winter Soldier programming obsolete." I watch as Bucky's eyebrows scrunch together. Steve stares with a blank face, and I waste no time elaborating.

"So the Winter Soldier programming is too deeply conditioned for me to be able to safely remove it and still keep Bucky. This framework may allow me to apply an algorithm to negate the conditioning. If I can apply an algorithm that detects the trigger words, it can shut down the Winter Soldier conditioning." I say, feeling more confident that I'm on the right track.

"But how will you put that algorithm in my mind without more programming?" Bucky asks and I sigh, there is one downfall to my plan.

"In order to put the algorithm in your mind I'm going to have to create a medium that will target the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, it's the only way. But it'll be painless and nothing like the Winter Soldier programming experience, I can promise you that." I say, knowing I still have some obstacles to overcome in order to make this plan work. They both stay silent for a moment and I feel butterflies start flittering in my stomach, what if they don't like the plan?

"If it means the Winter Soldier will be no more, I'm on board." Bucky says, and I release a breath I didn't realize I was holding. I look to Steve, who has a skeptical look on his face.

"How do you know it'll be painless?" He asks.

"Well the Winter Soldier conditioning was done using electricity over and over again, I plan on creating a laser that will transmit and implement this framework, it'll likely be a pinch at most. They use lasers all the time for surgery, I promise this isn't going to be an experiment." I try to put Steve's anxieties to rest, but I understand how he feels. He just wants to know his best friend will be alright.

"If Bucky's on board then so am I." Steve finally says and I smile, content that I got their approval.

"I just need to work out the finer details and then I'm going to ask Bruce to help me." I say, eager to continue this project.

It feels like an adrenaline rush, I'm so close to being able to redeem myself and save Bucky forever. Five years ago, or even just a few months ago, I never would have dreamed that I would find myself in this position. I was certain I'd never see Bucky again.

Although I had never really met Bucky, truly. I had met the hollow shell of him. Bucky in his entirety is so full of life and I never would have anticipated he was so lively and caring. I never would have thought he would make me blush or cause butterflies in my tummy. All of which inspires and drives me to finish this project. I put the paper back in the drawer and look at the clock on the wall.

"You guys should probably get going, they'll be back any time. I'll meet up with you two later." I say and urge them to leave. The last thing I need is Bruce and Tony asking why Steve and Bucky were down here. Steve nods and starts walking to the elevator, Bucky hangs back.

"I miss you up there, it's not the same. I'll see you later for dinner." He says and smiles before walking to the elevator. Truth be told, I miss him too. I find my thoughts wandering to him most of the time while I'm down here. I miss his goofy remarks and the way he smells, I miss the feeling of being around him, comfortable and secure. I've been on edge for days trying to fight Tony, I feel a constant stress headache in the base of my neck.

Not two minutes after they leave, Tony and Bruce come back down discussing something. They continue to talk, leaving me out of the conversation. Which means they're likely talking about the Ultron protocol. I take in a deep breath to keep myself from rolling my eyes and decide I've had enough.

"Listen, I understand you two are excited to work on the Ultron protocol, the idea is very exciting. I just don't think anything good can come of it until we understand the nature of how this will act when given a host." I say. I think I'm credible enough to speak on this. They stop speaking, looking slightly annoyed I interrupted them.

"What's the worst case scenario?" Tony asks.

"What if it doesn't work the way you intend for it to? We don't know the level of sentience it can achieve, which is why I think we should start small so that we can control it in case something unforeseen happens. Don't think I'm trying to stop the Ultron protocol, I just think we can do it in a smarter way." I say, hoping they'll hear me out this time.

"She has a point." Bruce sighs as he sides with me. It's about time he came back to his senses. After a moment of silence, Tony speaks up.

"Fine. We'll start on small hosts and work our way up." I smile, happy that he's agreed to pause the Ultron program and start small.

The three of us spend the afternoon building hosts that we can apply the framework to. We're going for a humanoid type of vessel since it seems to be operating closely to the mind of a human. Tony blares his music as we work but I can't help but tune it out as I look forward to dinner tonight and being near Bucky.

As evening approaches, we've each created four hosts, equaling twelve in total which I think is more than enough for starter research. I place my tools on the table and watch as Tony steps away from his work station.

"I think we should have a party. You know, it's been too long since we had a party Bruce. We can dedicate it to the Ultron protocol." While I like the idea, I'm uneasy about how big a Stark party will be.

"We keep it small, we don't need any curious people snooping around." Bruce says, and I agree with him.

"Let's set it for the day after tomorrow, give us some time to prepare." Tony says and claps his hands together. He then turns and walks out of the lab, leaving Bruce and I alone.

"What do you think of all this?" I ask, not having a moment alone with Bruce since we shared taquitos. He runs a hand through his hair and shakes his head.

"I mean, I want to create the Ultron protocol, having the Iron Legion operate independently would be a huge success. But I understand what you're saying, and I agree. We just don't know how this is actually going to operate when given a host. Tony was saying he wants to integrate Jarvis into the framework and see how it can operate or evolve from that." Bruce says and I raise my eyebrows,

"That's the first I'm hearing of this. But it may not be a bad idea. We already know what Jarvis is, it would be better than just giving the framework nothing. Then we could measure how it evolves and responds to stimulus" I say, not hating the idea. I chew on my bottom lip, debating whether or not I should tell Bruce about my plan.

"Bruce, can you keep a secret for a little bit?" I ask, deciding to just run it by him.

"Sure, what's going on?" He asks. I pull out the paper and hand it to him.

"I was thinking I can use this to help eliminate the Winter Soldier programming." I say and give him time to read over the paper.

"Well how does the Soldier programming work?" He asks.

"In a nutshell, when the trigger words are said in a specific sequence it causes a deeply conditioned response in his brain. First, the dorsal anterior cingulate begins to go dormant, or become less active. Then, the insula and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex begin connecting with each other overtime, these parts of the brain helps someone process and control their body. The programming takes this over and fires the synapses very quickly making it difficult for the brain to keep up with itself and be able to correct the movements, it makes someone lose control over their body essentially. Lastly, the programming causes a reduction of connection between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the medial prefrontal, along with posterior cingulate cortex areas of the brain. This reduction in connection causes a person to become disconnected from their actions, they become less aware of what they're doing. If I can find a way to implement an algorithm to the framework and put it in his mind I think it would negate the Winter Soldier programming. It would recognize the trigger words and stop the Soldier programming from being successful, it could regulate his brain functions and stop the programming before it can start." I give Bruce the simplest but complete answer as to how the Winter Soldier programming works.

"That was in a nutshell?" He jokes,

"Yeah, it's about the simplest answer I could give you." I smirk, happy he's not upset with my thought. He looks over the paper again.

"I think it could work. Give us some time to see how this actually works and I'll help you if you need me to. I won't tell Tony, I know how he'll take it." Bruce smiles and hands the paper back to me. I tuck the paper back in the drawer.

"Thank you, Bruce." I say, appreciative that he's willing to keep it secret and help me. This makes three things that I'm keeping from Tony.

We walk out of the lab together and as we step onto the main floor I smell something absolutely delectable. I make my way to the kitchen quickly, my stomach rumbling from the lack of food. I see boxes of food on the counter.

"I don't know how to cook so I thought we'd just order." Steve says. I nod my head,

"That is fine with me." I grab a slice of pizza and sit beside Bucky, who's on the couch adjacent to the kitchen area, in front of the fake fireplace. I nudge his arm with a smile, happy to see him.

"Miss me?" I ask, knowing we both have missed each other. He meets my eyes and nods his head,

"I always miss you. It's boring without you around. Steve and I can only throw a ball for so long."

"Well Tony is throwing a party the day after tomorrow, maybe you two can spend tomorrow preparing for that?" I suggest, not knowing what Tony considers a small party. Knowing him it's probably around one hundred people or so.

"A party?" Bucky asks.

"That's what he said." I take a bite of the pizza.

"I haven't partied since the 1940s." Bucky smiles, liking the idea.

"I think this might be a little different than a 1940s party." I say with a small laugh. I'm sure he'll adapt just fine, he seems to be a natural socialite when he wants to be.

"Maybe we'll go dancing again." He smiles.

"We can definitely go dancing again." I say. The dance we shared seems like it happened ages ago. I finish off my slice of pizza and debate on getting another, it's been a long day in the lab. I go to get another, deciding that I deserve it after putting up with Tony's attitude all day.

"Are you going back to the lab tonight?" Bucky asks.

"No, I think we all need a little break. We're picking up in the morning. Can we have a relaxing night?" I ask, looking over to him, his eyes light up.

"Yeah, of course. We can find a movie or something." He says, it sounds like a lovely idea. We both take the elevator up to the second floor and I go to my room,

"I'll be right over, I'm going to get into something more comfortable." I walk into my room and put on a pair of cotton shorts and a t-shirt that have been laying on the floor for a few days. I put some socks on and go over to Bucky's room. He's standing in front of the tv with a remote in his hand, a confused look on his face.

"How do you get the movies?" He asks, looking between the remote and the tv. I grab the remote from him and show him how to pull up Netflix.

"It's okay, sometimes it takes the elderly a while to understand new technology." I tease him as I give the remote back.

"Wow that hurt my feelings." He says, a smile on his face. I've missed joking around with him.

"Now please pick a movie in color, I don't want the black and white oldies." I say, going to sit on the right side of his bed.

"Now you're taking it too far." He sends me an unamused look, causing me to laugh.

We settle on a comedy movie and Bucky sits on the other side of his bed. I stretch my arms as the beginning credits start and feel tension in my shoulders. I lean my head to the side and rub the muscle.

"Come here, let me." Bucky says, motioning for me to sit in front of him on the bed. I scoot over so that I'm sitting in front of him, between his outstretched legs, and I feel a warm hand on my right shoulder, a cold one on my left. The difference in temperature makes me shiver, but it feels nice. Bucky works out the tension in my shoulders, his hands working slowly yet deliberately. I feel my eyes becoming heavy the more relaxed I become.

I feel his hands leave my shoulders and he pulls me back so that I'm resting against his chest. My head rests on his right shoulder, I feel his arms envelope me in a hug. I keep my eyes closed, enjoying the comfort I've longed for. If I weren't so tired I'd probably move and say something about the boundary, but I'm at peace, this feels right.

The movie plays in the background and becomes white noise for me. I feel Bucky's lips on my left temple, placing a gentle kiss. I feel my face become warm, I don't protest. I drift asleep in Bucky's strong arms, savoring the tranquility.

[ao3feed-drstrange]

when you find yourself let us know

by valentinevoid After everyone's come back from the blip, things have changed-- People are dead, missing, etc, and yet through it all.. New York does it's best. OR: peter parker slowly finding himself again after endgame with the help of others Words: 2685, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English Series: Part 11 of peter in a nutshell Fandoms: Spider-Man - All Media Types, Spider-Man (Tom Holland Movies), Marvel Cinematic Universe Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Characters: Peter Parker, Wanda Maximoff, Stephen Strange, Clint Barton, Yelena Belova, Bruce Banner, James "Bucky" Barnes, Delmar (Marvel), Thor (Marvel), Pepper Potts, Morgan Stark (Marvel Cinematic Universe), James "Rhodey" Rhodes, Sam Wilson (Marvel), Scott Lang Relationships: Avengers Team Members & Peter Parker Additional Tags: Mentioned Tony Stark, Mentioned Steve Rogers, Mentioned Natasha Romanov (Marvel), Post-Endgame, Canon Divergence - Post-Movie: Avengers: Endgame (2019), Domestic Avengers, Avengers Team Members as Family (Marvel), Peter Parker is a Mess, Peter Parker Whump, Peter Parker-centric, New York City, Happy Ending, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, The Avengers Find Out Peter Parker is Spider-Man, Peter Parker Needs a Hug, Peter Parker Gets a Hug, Dead Aunt May Parker (Marvel), Avenger Peter Parker via https://ift.tt/7E2TDLz

[ao3feed-wandamaximoff]

when you find yourself let us know

by valentinevoid After everyone's come back from the blip, things have changed-- People are dead, missing, etc, and yet through it all.. New York does it's best. OR: peter parker slowly finding himself again after endgame with the help of others Words: 2685, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English Series: Part 11 of peter in a nutshell Fandoms: Spider-Man - All Media Types, Spider-Man (Tom Holland Movies), Marvel Cinematic Universe Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Characters: Peter Parker, Wanda Maximoff, Stephen Strange, Clint Barton, Yelena Belova, Bruce Banner, James "Bucky" Barnes, Delmar (Marvel), Thor (Marvel), Pepper Potts, Morgan Stark (Marvel Cinematic Universe), James "Rhodey" Rhodes, Sam Wilson (Marvel), Scott Lang Relationships: Avengers Team Members & Peter Parker Additional Tags: Mentioned Tony Stark, Mentioned Steve Rogers, Mentioned Natasha Romanov (Marvel), Post-Endgame, Canon Divergence - Post-Movie: Avengers: Endgame (2019), Domestic Avengers, Avengers Team Members as Family (Marvel), Peter Parker is a Mess, Peter Parker Whump, Peter Parker-centric, New York City, Happy Ending, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, The Avengers Find Out Peter Parker is Spider-Man, Peter Parker Needs a Hug, Peter Parker Gets a Hug, Dead Aunt May Parker (Marvel), Avenger Peter Parker via https://ift.tt/1pcw2ra

[ao3feed-peterparker]

when you find yourself let us know

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/LsKjuUQ by valentinevoid After everyone's come back from the blip, things have changed-- People are dead, missing, etc, and yet through it all.. New York does it's best. OR: peter parker slowly finding himself again after endgame with the help of others Words: 2685, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English Series: Part 11 of peter in a nutshell Fandoms: Spider-Man - All Media Types, Spider-Man (Tom Holland Movies), Marvel Cinematic Universe Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Characters: Peter Parker, Wanda Maximoff, Stephen Strange, Clint Barton, Yelena Belova, Bruce Banner, James "Bucky" Barnes, Delmar (Marvel), Thor (Marvel), Pepper Potts, Morgan Stark (Marvel Cinematic Universe), James "Rhodey" Rhodes, Sam Wilson (Marvel), Scott Lang Relationships: Avengers Team Members & Peter Parker Additional Tags: Mentioned Tony Stark, Mentioned Steve Rogers, Mentioned Natasha Romanov (Marvel), Post-Endgame, Canon Divergence - Post-Movie: Avengers: Endgame (2019), Domestic Avengers, Avengers Team Members as Family (Marvel), Peter Parker is a Mess, Peter Parker Whump, Peter Parker-centric, New York City, Happy Ending, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, The Avengers Find Out Peter Parker is Spider-Man, Peter Parker Needs a Hug, Peter Parker Gets a Hug, Dead Aunt May Parker (Marvel), Avenger Peter Parker read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/LsKjuUQ

[ao3feed-petermj]

to be Peter Parker or to be Peter Stark

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/j7kCE9f by valentinevoid How did this train of thought come along? Simple, really, as all life crises' do.. through a decision. Stay in New York with Mr. Stark.. or, move to Virginia with his aunt and Happy. Either way, he'd be around seven hours away from what he loved. or: Peter having a crisis about the fact he thinks of Tony as a father.. and the choice of staying or going Words: 1561, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English Series: Part 11 of peter in a nutshell Fandoms: Spider-Man - All Media Types, Spider-Man (Tom Holland Movies), Marvel Cinematic Universe Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Characters: Peter Parker, Tony Stark, Aunt May Parker (Marvel), Happy Hogan, Steve Rogers, James "Bucky" Barnes, Sam Wilson (Marvel), James "Rhodey" Rhodes, Pepper Potts, Morgan Stark (Marvel Cinematic Universe), Natasha Romanov (Marvel), Bruce Banner, Clint Barton, Wanda Maximoff, Vision (Marvel), Ned Leeds, Michelle Jones (Marvel) Relationships: Peter Parker & Tony Stark, Michelle Jones/Peter Parker Additional Tags: Good Friend Ned Leeds, Tony Stark Has a Heart, Tony Stark Acting as Peter Parker's Parental Figure, Peter Parker Calls Tony Stark "Dad", Peter Parker is Tony Stark's Heir, Peter Parker-centric, Peter Parker Needs a Hug, Peter Parker Gets a Hug, Parent Tony Stark, Tony Stark-centric, Avengers Team Members as Family (Marvel), Fluff, Post-Movie: Avengers: Endgame (2019), Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/j7kCE9f

[inthefoxholes]

So I've thought about it for one night, and I want to add something. These are such good points, especially the protagonist-centred morality.

So two thoughs about this:

(1) I think the mcu feels like such a hackjob because they genuinely don't understand their source material. I think they genuinely think Tony Stark is the objectively best character and all the others are foils against which Iron Man can display his wit/banter/realisations. (I'm talking about russo-era-mcu, with endgame as nadir, not really counting the guardians movies, which i find ok) And so they really think of Steve as a bit of a chad, a golden retriever kind of guy, heart in the right place but sometimes does get it etc. - when the whole point of Steve's character is that he's principled. And sure, Evans plays him like a sweetheart, but by no means like only a sweetheart, which is one of the reasons TWS is by far the best movie, because it allows us to see the facets of the character: Steve can be a sassy little shit AND a good friend, he can be very astute and principled AND genuinely kind to Nat, he can see that in order to stop the helicarriers he might have to fight Bucky first AND STILL refuse to kill him. THAT is Steve's character in a nutshell: He refuses to be forced into a binary decisions by the system, refurses to pick "the lesser evil". But for some reason, the decicing people at marvel don't like this, or maybe think it makes him too soft, too gay (god for fucking bid), too good? (I really think they believe he can only be good in the sense that he's naive, that he doesn't get how the world works, because otherwise, what's stopping the rest? There always needs to be a veneer of "Things aren't that simple, son, we know you mean well, but the world doesn't work like that.").

Which brings me to Bucky. I think we've all said at some point that it's very obvious that the deciders at marvel don't like Bucky as a character and I think that is driving a lot of what anon very rightly pointed out: I think it not just makes them bad people (for doing bad stuff and for not calling others out), it makes them inconsistent. The writers don't really want us to see Bucky as a victim of horrendous, horrendous violence and abuse. The comparison with Hawkguy is spot-on, really, in that not only no one bats an eye to him immediately rejoining the team, but there's also time in the narrative (in Age of Ultron maybe?) for him to talk about what a horrible experience it was for him. And that is NOTHING to what was done to Bucky. But for some reason, when he is allowed to talk about it, we talk about guilt?? What? And I think from this disconnect stem a lot of the inconsistencies that are especially jarring in Steve: if he called out Sam for being rude to Bucky, if he called out Tony for trying to KILL Bucky, if he called out Peggy for hiring the VERY SAME GUY THAT TORTURED BUCKY, etc... then a) ewww, does that mean Steve is gay? Aren't guys gay who care for their friend's feelings?? and b) the mcu would have to reckon with what was done to Bucky, and they don't want to.

(2) I think the protagonist-centred morality is very useful to understand this, because it allows them to completely disreagrd the powers that structure their (our) world. There is a fanfiction that begins something like "After waking up, Steve takes one look at what the US military has done in the last 70 years and nopes right out." and it's about him becoming a paramedic and then working to get humanitarian aid into an active war zone in Syria. And I always thought that this is exactly what Steve Rogers would do after waking up. (And not even because I think the US army was in any way cooler during the 1940s, but because now, information is so much more readily available. You can find out what they do, and Steve would.) Now, I get the impulse of wanting him in the tower with all the others and working together, found family etc (except that they are not, because they don't really trust each other, and aren't really kind to each other, but, again, that might be gay, right?). And I get that marvel cannot take Steve's chacter to its logical conclusion, in that he would be a militant anti-captalist. But there are nuances to be had between having Steve work for Shield and mostly keep his head down (in CW it always sat wrong with me that he didn't argue more forcefully against the Accords; he says, "it's not right for me, i know how these things go", when he should have said, "it's not right, period, i know how these things go, none of us should sign those.") ... and Steve correctly identifying imperialism, as it is upheld by the US, as the root of all the problems and dismantling it. Sony's Spiderverse is very good at that. It can't be that difficult. A lot of fanfictions are very good at that. (But then, they take their source material seriously.) But no, the point of the mcu is to have increasingly absurd fight sequences (nothing will ever beat Steve and Bucky's fight in TWS, and I will die on that hill) and not much else, which means aggressively ignoring any context, sometimes even ignoring previoulsy established character traits, which means actions are judged by who does them and with what intent (things seem to be ok, as long as you are Tony Stark and sad). Which, yes, anon, makes them bad guys.

One of the biggest gripes I have with the MCU is that half of the heroes are (unintentionally) written as bad guys (EG Steve, Tony, Clint, Peggy...) and the other half is still friends with them and/or never call them out in any meaningful way (Bucky, Sam, Rhodey, Nat....).

Tbf I haven't watched new Marvel content since 2021 so this might not be true for all the new characters. But the characters I liked from the first 3 phases? In my eyes, none of their canon versions are good people anymore.

The MCU really is a superhero universe without any moral compass.

Agreed Anon, you're right.

(I likewise haven't been able to watch since EG, outside of that one Spidey movie where Tony remade Insight yet again and gave control of it to a teenage boy. 🤦‍♀️ MCU's Spidey is just his mini-me; completely missing the point of that character. I mean look at Sony's Spider-verse by comparison!)

I've used this term before, but the MCU has a problem of protagonist-centered morality, whereby villain-defining deeds are put in the hands of 'good' (as in: decent person) characters, and/or good characters are tarnished by their unforgivable inaction, when inaction is the very definition of un-heroism in that universe:

ie. "when you can do the things that I can, but you don't, and then the bad things happen, they happen because of you.” "If I see a situation pointed south, I can't ignore it." etc.

Taking Steve as a textbook example:

Even though Steve behaves accordingly in that scene (by calling Tony out for double-dealing re: the Accords) by the time Steve comes to say that 👆 he has already betrayed it in other ways.

Like: he never calls out Peggy for her mistreatment of him (in CATFA) and borderline rudeness to Bucky. It's like they wanted Steve to almost gloat about becoming superior to Bucky (who, mirroring that, they frame as dragging Steve on double dates he doesn't want to go on and not noticing he's being mistreated during them.)

In CATWS Steve never calls out Peggy (or Howard, or Phillips) for hiring Nazis and making one immortal (this is why they kept her 'visit' safely out of the way in Act 1).

Even though he does call out Fury and Nat for doing substantially less-heinous shit (as far as he knows at the time) and they are made to make it up to him before he will trust them again.

He never calls out Sam for being rude to Bucky in front of him, even though he will tell him off for being rude to a stranger (T'Challa).

(Again: a friend who will stop somebody actually killing you, but won't bother to stop somebody being rude to you? or bullying you? = Not much of a friend. Not much of a way to repay all the years Bucky did that for pre-serum Steve, is it writers? 🤷‍♀️)

Since they never bother to show how/when Steve finds out Bucky is a mind-controlled innocent, nobody therefore ever calls out Sam and Nat for being wrong about him either / for trying to dissuade Steve from helping him. And Sam continues to dehumanize him like a ticking timebomb, even after mind-control / his innocence has been established.

(Contrast: Clint, who tries to kill all of the Avengers while mind-controlled, and Nick Fury and Maria Hill, but is nevertheless welcomed into their ranks with open arms on the very same day. This without question, on the basis of nothing more than a Silent Nod of Approval from Natasha. And they're going to fight... the villain who still has the magic mind-control method, mind you. 🤪

Similarly stupid: to take Bucky to fight the same guy who just established that he can mind-control Bucky at the end of CACW? 🤦‍♀️ Bad enough to pick up the idiot ball, but then you don't even do anything with it? But I digress...)

Back to Steve: he never calls out Sharon for staying in SHIELDra while they were hunting him, Nat and Sam.

(Condoning both her and Peggy in a weirdly inccestuous way, since these idiots writers are so desperate for him to be demonstrably heterosexual, no matter how irrelevant to the plot. The corpse of Compulsory Female Love Interest No.1 hadn't even cooled before she pounced.)

Post-CW Steve never calls out Tony for tying to kill him and Bucky, for refusing to call when Thanos came, for refusing to help them undo the Snap initially, or for monologuing Hydra's rhetoric at him yet again. Just stood there like a plank while Tony hurled RDJ's improved abuse (was CEvans even allowed to improv? I bet it would've been cut if he had.)

And then, when he actually does get to do a thing that is unequivocally good (passing the shield onto Sam) ...they retcon that it was a bad, selfish thing, spread the blame off Steve onto (guess who?) Bucky (of course!) and then make him apologise (of course!)

...But don't hold Steve accountable for ditching Bucky to face the music on his own! (The apparently bad-now music.)

Wtaf, huh?

And that's not how accountability works! Holding white men responsible for specific actions, in-universe, doesn't mean anything if you haven't got the right white guy! Doesn't mean 'pick a random white guy.' Doesn't mean 'pick the only 'non' villain white guy in the cast.'

White character apologising to a black character for what white people generally do to black people = Fine. White guy apologising to a black guy for a specific trespass he did not commit against him? = Nonsense. Cheapens the whole point. If Steve has committed a microaggression it's his job to apologise for it, not Bucky's.

Picture Happy Hogan apologising to Rhodey for Tony gifting him the War Machine suit.

Perfectly valid for Tony to apologise: if gifting the suit had always been framed as a poison chalice for Rhodey (foreshadowing, folks. Basic writing skill.) But not if they had always been like 'hey isn't this War Machine suit great for Rhodey what a heartwarming gift wait no it isn't you bastard, Happy, shame on you for Tony doing that!' 🤔

Of course What If/post-EG skrull Steve has been nothing more than a cringe mirkin for Saint Peggy Sue. Back to being written like a poorly-written female character. 🙄

And all this is presaged by Steve waking up in the future, immediately being lied to by SHIELD, and... coming to work for them anyway? Even though he hates liars?

But he keeps working for them, even after they have lied to him again, and he has discovered it, in A1?

Steve's CATWS line about thinking he could throw himself back in and be happy, serving in SHIELD, makes no damn sense when you consider that he has known SHIELD ain't shit almost since the very moment he awoke in the future.

So actually, seems like canon Steve can ignore plenty! 😬

Much as I nevertheless like MCU Steve -- CEvans' casting and acting choices, his chemistry with his co-stars, his acting correctly (viz against the stupid script), etc. -- when you look at the Cap movie characters and realise just how much they've axed, warped, or insidiously inverted from the source material... it's hard not to see the MCU versions as a real hack job. 😥

[ao3feed-irondadspiderson]

Meeting the anomaly known as Peter Stark (through the tales of the avengers)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/61261621 by melodyian The accords have been done and signed—so it’s only natural the avengers would start heading back to the tower. However, unbeknownst to them, a certain new kid lurks in said tower. - OR: kinda like the 5 + 1 rule of the avengers meeting Peter :) Words: 1670, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English Series: Part 4 of peter in a nutshell Fandoms: Spider-Man - All Media Types, Spider-Man (Tom Holland Movies) Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Characters: Peter Parker, Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, James "Bucky" Barnes, Natasha Romanov (Marvel), Clint Barton, James "Rhodey" Rhodes, Sam Wilson (Marvel), Thor (Marvel), Avengers Team Members (Marvel), Other Avengers, Bruce Banner Relationships: Peter Parker & Tony Stark, Avengers Team Members & Peter Parker Additional Tags: Identity Reveal, Precious Peter Parker, Peter Parker-centric, Happy Peter Parker, Tony Stark Acting as Peter Parker's Parental Figure, Peter Parker is Tony Stark's Adopted Child, Tony Stark Has a Heart, Tony Stark-centric, Happy Tony Stark, Avengers Family, Avengers Tower, Domestic Avengers, Peter Parker Meets the Avengers, Domestic Fluff, Injured Peter Parker read it on AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/61261621

[keljnap]

[funnyincorrectmcu]

Tony: I wasn’t listening, but whatever Steve said, I disagree.

[buckydeservesthebest]

Exactly! The idea that the laws of "justice" as well as public opinion ARE NOT always right or fair is basically the crux of Civil War! And in the end everyone, including Tony, realised that they couldn't give up their freedom of choice to the government and instead must do what they believe is right, even if everyone tells them otherwise. And Steve was the main representative of this idea of course.

As you rightly say, it was clear that in TFA no one agreed with Erskine's choice of Steve for the Rebirth project, because everyone expected the stereotypical big soldier. But this didn't stop Steve from wanting to continue, because fighting for the greater good was more important.

It's funny, but even Peggy understood this principle in the What If? I mean, I don't even really like Peggy's character, but I can say that she had more guts in accepting the mantle of Captain America/Carter even though no one at the time would have wanted to see a woman in such a position.

These are guts that Sam certainly lacked. And actually, beyond the guts, there is a certain selfishness and vanity in him as well, because he preferred to escape society's criticism and still maintain the acceptance and popularity of being part of the Avengers. As you say, having spent time together with Steve, you could say that Sam must have learned which ideals define Captain America.

Fighting for something bigger than himself is something Bucky always did, which is why he formed the Howling Commandos and followed Steve to fight HYDRA despite having started to develop PTSD and the constant fear of being recaptured by them... That's why Bucky was ready to fight the other Winter Soldiers and possibly die trying in CW... It's why he joined the battle against Thanos despite being tired of fighting and not feeling recovered...

Bucky always prioritized the good of others over his own... Even in TFATWS, by freeing Zemo to help track down the FlagSmashers (although this is a somewhat controversial topic, but beyond Spellman's bad writing, and assuming Bucky really had no other resources, (I actually have a theory I want to share that Bucky did indeed exhaust all his options and that he did consult Wakanda for help before turning to Zemo as a last resort)) Bucky again prioritized the greater good, putting his conditional pardon and friendship with the Wakandans at risk (in the end you could say that they understood his reasons and so they did the favor he asked of them, a favor that was for Sam, not even for himself). And I mean, if there's anyone who found it harder to free Zemo and work with him, it's Bucky! Just imagine how traumatic and stressful it must be to have to interact with one of your former abusers, because that's what Zemo was to Bucky... But then again, this is something no one talks about...

What I mean, is that in a nutshell Bucky has always sacrificed himself and anything that might represent something good for him and put the good of everyone else first. "To lay down on a wire and let the other guy crawls over you" "the guy who makes the sacrifice play" is something Bucky has done all his life, and no one has even mentioned it.

What Steve tought literally saved Bucky's life. It was the only thing that prevented from killing himself.

THIS. And Steve wasn't just responsible for Bucky's safety, it was his faith in him that partially freed him from the Winter Soldier's programming and gave him back a part of his identity. Had it not been for Steve, Bucky would still be under HYDRA's control today... So how could anyone say what Steve thought didn't matter!!?? To Bucky it meant everything...

Bucky is basically, and it pains me to say it, the embodiment of the worst experiences anyone could have, from a prisoner of war to a disabled person to a sufferer of irreparable brain damage... The number of people in real life who can identify with him is overwhelmingly large. That is why everything seen in TFATWS, the ableism, the victim-blaming, the sexism, racism and the horribly misguided presentation of therapy is both outrageous and dangerous... What Spellman and Skogland did is so offensive both to the character of Bucky and to anyone who can identify with him in any way. Damn it! You don't even have to have been through a similar experience to at least show a little empathy and respect on the subject!

As you rightly say, this is why it's so important to speak out and support the boycott of anything that supports and promotes bad and harmful messages as Marvel has been doing for years.

"that shield is everything he stood for."

Yet he was willing to give it up because his faith in Bucky was stronger

[ao3feed-drstrange]

when you find yourself let us know

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/7E2TDLz by valentinevoid After everyone's come back from the blip, things have changed-- People are dead, missing, etc, and yet through it all.. New York does it's best. OR: peter parker slowly finding himself again after endgame with the help of others Words: 2685, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English Series: Part 11 of peter in a nutshell Fandoms: Spider-Man - All Media Types, Spider-Man (Tom Holland Movies), Marvel Cinematic Universe Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Characters: Peter Parker, Wanda Maximoff, Stephen Strange, Clint Barton, Yelena Belova, Bruce Banner, James "Bucky" Barnes, Delmar (Marvel), Thor (Marvel), Pepper Potts, Morgan Stark (Marvel Cinematic Universe), James "Rhodey" Rhodes, Sam Wilson (Marvel), Scott Lang Relationships: Avengers Team Members & Peter Parker Additional Tags: Mentioned Tony Stark, Mentioned Steve Rogers, Mentioned Natasha Romanov (Marvel), Post-Endgame, Canon Divergence - Post-Movie: Avengers: Endgame (2019), Domestic Avengers, Avengers Team Members as Family (Marvel), Peter Parker is a Mess, Peter Parker Whump, Peter Parker-centric, New York City, Happy Ending, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, The Avengers Find Out Peter Parker is Spider-Man, Peter Parker Needs a Hug, Peter Parker Gets a Hug, Dead Aunt May Parker (Marvel), Avenger Peter Parker read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/7E2TDLz