Sambucky Is On My Mind Again!

Tom Hiddleston as Loki in The Avengers (2012)

This should get more, much more attention.

Review of some anti-Tony comments from Ao3. Part 6

Let’s talk more about things from Part 1 today:

 “Tony was actively attacking someone from behind, who was just trying to leave.”

Eh? So how did that happen that he only attacked from behind ONCE? Semi-behind, to be exact - see my post with Part 1. Why Bucky tried to leave if he was innocent? Just like he did before with T’Challa. “Why did you run?”.

I’ll add the extension of that statement here so we could figure the whole thing out: “Steve was actively defending said person in any way, even if that meant attacking Tony from behind.

And before you get on me about how I'm being hypocritical - it's been done - it isn't the action that's being criticized, it's the WHY behind the action. Tony repeatedly attacked someone from behind who was only trying to flee the scene vs Steve repeatedly attacked someone from behind to protect his best friend from being killed. That's the difference between the two. You can't hold them to the same standard when their reasons for doing the same action are complete opposites. It isn't the action; it's the reasons BEHIND the action.”

Let’s think about the most appropriate thing Bucky could do in the scene instead. Well, first he could say “I’m sorry”. That would be a good start. Doesn’t matter if he was brainwashed or not – his hands were used. “Sorry” is always good in such situations. He didn’t do that.

Instead he raised his gun at Tony and was ready to fire at his face (CA:CW 2:03:15). Yes, Tony hit Cap there. But it was for a reason. And you simply don’t point a gun at a guy who just watched his parents die by your hands, if you are innocent and truly regret this. It was so wrong to attack him that it just showed Bucky’s position “there’s nothing to explain and nothing to apologies for”, if the best thing Bucky could do is to raise his gun and run. Low and cowardly.

But we should actually take a closer look at that scene (starting from 2:02:17), because it’s even more complicated if we watch the scene frame by frame.

2:01:33 – Tony is watching the video of his parents’ death. Steve looks at him with a very interesting expression. At him, not at the video. He already knows what’s going on there. He is looking at Tony for his reaction.

2:01:38 – focus on Bucky who looks a bit regretful, looking at the floor first, but then raising his eyes to Tony.

2:01:53 – Tony hears his father saying “Sergeant Barnes” and his mother calling “Howard!”. Tony glances at Bucky.

2:02:05 – Winter Soldier hits Howard in the head and kills him. Tony’s expression tells us he is enraged.

2:02:25 – Winter Soldier kills Maria, strangling her with his biological hand.

2:02:33 – video ends with Winter Soldier shooting at the camera. Tony is in shock. Steve is looking at him, saying nothing. He had enough time to say something.

2:02:40 – Tony turns to Bucky and makes a step towards him. Not putting his helmet on. He is not attacking yet. Most probably he just wanted to grab him by his jacket and ask some questions or something like that. What Bucky does? He raised his gun at him. We can see tears in his eyes. Why did he do that then?

2:02:42 – Steve says “No, Tony. Tony”. He says that to calm him down, and that would be a good start. But then he does some “stupid-ass decisions”, how Fury would put that.

2:02:45 – Tony turns to him. He is devastated. He just realized something. “Did you know?”. Steve’s eyes are shifting rapidly, and after a long pause (when he was thinking of what to say, I guess), he says “I didn’t know it was him”. By his behavior here we can infer that he is lying. Tony sees it “Don’t bullshit, me Rogers. Did you know?”. Steve looks Tony in the eyes and swallows hard. “Yes”.

Let’s make a digression to show Steve really knew that Bucky killed Tony’s parents.

CA:WS 1:04:50 – Zola is explaining how Hydra eliminated unwanted individuals. Chronicle footage shows Bucky with a sniper rifle and then next frame with news article about Starks’ death. Zola says “Accidents will happen”. Next few frames show Howard in the car in the same position Bucky left him in the CA:CW 2:02:10 scene.  Then Fury’s file is shown, “deceased” – another victim of the Winter Soldier. No need to be a genius to put two and two together. Especially when you don’t know that there were other Winter Soldiers yet. There were no other options – Steve and Nat knew that Howard was killed by Bucky from that exact moment. But let’s add more evidence, shall we?

CA:WS 2:05:28 – Natasha gives Bucky’s case files to Steve. Logic tells us that they should contain his targets. Including Howard and Maria.

CA:CW 2:15:52 – Steve’s letter says “I know I hurt you, Tony. I guess I thought by not telling you about your parents I was sparing you, but I can see now that I was really sparing myself. And I’m sorry…”

Conclusion is pretty clear, isn’t it?

Let’s get back to the pre-fight situation:

So Steve admitted that he knew who killed Tony’s parents (and his own old friend btw).

2:03:05 – Steve’s “Yes” hits Tony. Rogers is just looking at him there. No sorrow or regret in his eyes. Tony loses it.

He is the victim in this scene. He came to help and was betrayed again.

2:03:12 – he hits Rogers with back of his hand. Cap is thrown a couple of steps back.

2:03:15 - Tony puts his helmet on. Now he is going to attack.

Put yourself on his place and answer the question “wouldn’t you act the same way?”. If your answer is “nope, I wouldn’t” - try to pass a CAPTCHA, because you are most probably a robot.

Same moment – Bucky points his gun at Tony. He almost opens fire, but Tony shoots the gun with a repulsor, knocking the weapon out of Bucky's hands. Back to the beginning of this essay – why would you shoot at a victim? Tony, most probably, would just hit him couple of times using his hands, if he had not faced counter aggression.

 Bucky is not running here. He wasn’t trying to run until Steve told him to at 2:04:02. He is attacking Tony. Look at his face (2:03:17). This is not the face of regret or sorrow.

The Ice - Aftermath

(The Ice - Here)

The cold still clung to him as he stepped through the portal and into his bedroom in the sanctum. The warmth of his room felt like an assault on his senses. His hands tingled painfully a little at the sharp, sudden change in temperature.

The cloak flared off his shoulders, slipping off into a corner to settle onto the chair that rested there.

Movement caught his attention in the peripheral of his vision. He turned to see Tony setting his tablet aside and sliding out of their bed. He was dressed in sleep clothes. Stephen blinked and glanced at the time. It had been getting dark when he’d left Nebraska, with the timezone difference it was starting to get late here. But not so late that Tony—who was the definition of a night owl—would be in bed.

“How are you?” Tony asked quietly as he moved closer. His gaze searched Stephen’s face, and Stephen knew that the weight of everything from today was clear and visible to Tony’s too perceptive gaze.

Stephen wasn’t sure if Wong had told Tony what had happened. Because it had to have been Wong who had given Tony the all clear to return to the sanctum after Stephen had sent Tony away.

“I’m… better.” It was true.

Tony nodded. “You look cold,” Tony said, not pursuing the topic. Yet. “Let’s get you into something warmer.”

Stephen didn’t exactly need help changing, but Tony’s hands were warm on his skin as he helped him undress. There was nothing sexual about the moment, just simple love and affection in every trace of touch. Stephen slid into his own sleep clothes, despite the fact that it was too early for bed.

“I’m not ready for sleep,” Stephen warned Tony.

“I know,” Tony said, his expression was soft. “But I wanted you comfortable. We’re going to read, together. Something light and simple, I’ve pulled up a list. Then we’re going to cuddle and if you want to and are ready, you’re going to tell me what nightmare sent you back home.” Tony pressed his hand over Stephen’s heart. “And I’ll listen. Then we can decide whether we’re going to sleep tonight or if we’re going to get dressed again and go for a walk in the middle of the night.”

Some part of Stephen already knew they were going to end up on that midnight walk. There was something about walking hand in hand with Tony through mostly abandoned streets as they talked about everything and nothing, the strain of long days eased away in the light of the moon and intermittent street lights.

Even when they were silent, it was… it was good.

“All right,” Stephen agreed. “What are we reading?”

“You choose,” Tony said. He returned to the bed where he’d left his starkpad and started going through the list. 

Stephen chose a book of poems and settled onto the bed, back against the headboard as Tony started reading aloud. His voice was soothing, and the words took on a rhythmic cadence. Stephen closed his eyes as Tony started on a poem about new beginnings and let the words carry him into a meditative state.

He wasn’t sure how much time had passed before he opened his eyes again. “I’m ready to cuddle, now,” he told Tony as Tony finished another poem, this one about the different firsts of life.

Tony immediately put the tablet to the side, slipping closer to him.

They got comfortable together, Stephen holding Tony tight against him. It always helped to hold Tony, to feel like Tony was safe in his arms where Stephen could protect him. Even if Tony was perfectly capable of protecting himself.

Sometimes Stephen wondered if that was something that lingered from Donna, Stephen’s need to feel like he could protect those he loved when he’d failed to protect her. Or perhaps he’d always have been this way.

The lights dimmed, but didn’t go out. Not when Stephen didn’t want to actually sleep, just wanted to hold Tony close. 

“I’ve told you about Donna,” Stephen said.

“I remember,” Tony said quietly.

Stephen took a deep breath. “I… When I told you to stay at the compound for a few nights, it was because there was a problem with the nightmare realm. It… well, I dreamt of Donna.” He took a deep breath. “I… I’d prepared myself for the accident, for Dormammu, for Thanos. I thought I knew exactly what would plague me. It… it caught me off guard. I wasn’t prepared.” He took a breath. “She… she blamed me.”

Tony didn’t say anything, not immediately. Instead, Tony’s fingers tangled with Stephen’s, tugging Stephen’s arm that rested over Tony’s hips up to his mouth to press a kiss against Stephen’s fingers. “She didn’t,” Tony said quietly. “You know she never would have.”

Stephen thought of his moment on the ice, the quiet there was never anything to forgive, the quiet I love you.

“I know,” he admitted. The words caught in his throat, because it was true, but it had been so long that he’d held onto that guilt that it was difficult to let go. “But I needed to go back. I needed… I needed to say goodbye.”

“Did you?”

“Yes.”

There was a moment’s pause. “Did it help?”

Stephen swallowed hard. “Yes.” He took a deep breath. There was a part of him that felt like it must be some sort of betrayal to find any sort of peace. But Donna would never have blamed him for it. “It did.”

“It’s what she would want. She’d be happy for you.”

Stephen closed his eyes, pictured Donna again. There was never anything to forgive. I love you. Thought of all of the things in his life that he had finally gotten right. Thought of all those things that he thought Donna would have been proud of.

He held on to the thought tightly and let himself believe.

Tony helping Stephen to sleep? Hope you have fun at con!!

Con was awesome! And you have reminded me that I need to blot my face out of some photos so that I can share. 😀  Plus, the swag report! Although most of the swag is for another fandom, because there’s not much Stephen stuff out there (though I did get two things!). 

Anyway, ficlet!

-

There was something particularly awful about a nightmare that prevented you from sleeping. At least if the damn thing woke Stephen up he’d gotten a couple of hours. At least if his dreaming mind inflicted it on him, it was involuntary. But to lie there, awake, and still be thinking about it was infuriating. Which did not make sleeping any easier.

Sighing, Stephen sat up and pulled on a dressing gown. Maybe a hot drink would help him relax. Or some reading.

But when his bedroom door swung open, Wong was standing on the threshold, arms crossed. Stephen did <i>not</i> jump. “Wong! What are you doing?”

“Making sure that you sleep.”

Stephen groaned, rubbing at sore eyes. “If I could, I would.”

“You know what will help,” Wong said, unmoved.

Stephen flushed, but didn’t try to pretend he didn’t understand. They’d both lost patience with that song and dance. “He’s not a sleep aid. And it’s two in the morning.”

Wong raised his hands and started casting a portal.

“What are you doing?!” Stephen yelped.

“Countering your objections,” Wong said. 

The portal bloomed open, revealing Tony’s workshop. The man himself was sprawling in a rolling chair, looking up at projected blueprints. He didn’t seem at all surprised when he turned to look through the portal. “Nightmare?”

Wong answered before Stephen could. “Nightmares would require him to sleep at all.”

Stephen shot Wong a glare before turning to Tony. “I’m sorry to bother you.”

“Hey, I meant it when I said any time,” Tony said. “You got pajamas I can borrow, or should I grab some?”

“I have some,” Stephen said. He refused to look at Wong even as Tony stepped through the portal and Stephen felt the tension easing out of his neck and shoulders and… well, everything. 

Later, head resting on Tony’s chest, the man’s heart beating reassuringly in his ear, eyes already drooping, Stephen decided that this was worth Wong’s inevitable ‘I told you so.’

Maybe even a few times over.

A Random Rainy Night:

Peter: *Enters completely drenched & shivering*

Tony: Underoos!! *starts screaming & pampering him*

*While making cold chocolate to warm up his little spiderling*

Tony: Why didn't you swing in your suit? It would have saved you from resembling a kicked & drenched puppy.

Peter: *pouts* I am not a puppy

Peter: Also, it’s a million dollar worth suit, Mr. Stark. Couldn't get it wet

Tony: astonished, slackjawed, flabbergasted

Tony: Is my age catching upto me or did you actually took a nose dive into a freaking lake with that suit?

Peter: oh! It was waterproof?!

Tony: Flabbergasted Stark

Et Tu, Kid?

Tony couldn’t believe this was happening.

The kid he thought of as his own was sitting across him, looking him dead in the eye. There was nothing binding him, but Tony felt like he might as well be chained to the chair he was sitting on.

“Come on, kid. You don’t have to do this,” he said, a faint pleading undertone making his weak voice shake.

Peter didn’t reply. Instead, a corner of his mouth twitched upwards into a tiny smirk.

The others weren’t much of a help either. Pepper was frozen, holding her breath. Rhodey’s eyes were darting all around the room, but otherwise didn’t move a muscle. Clint’s gaze was sliding from Peter to Tony. Steve shifted in his seat. Natasha had that calculating look in her eyes, as if she was planning everything ten steps ahead. Which was quite possible.

“Peter, listen. This isn’t you! You have to fight it. Please!”

Without breaking eye contact, Peter moved his hand, slow and precise, like a predator that knew his prey had nowhere to run.

“Don’t,” Tony softly pleaded.

This time, a full grin spread across the kid’s face. His fingers gripped the edge and he struck in one fast, merciless move.

The +4 card landed on the pile of cards with almost deafening thud. Well, at least to Tony.

“Uno,” Peter said with a shit-eating grin on his face.

“That’s it. I’m disowning you,” Tony grumbled as he drew four cards. He was so close to victory! “Next time we’re playing Monopoly, I’m letting Pepper bankrupt you.”

Peter, in a true, mature way, stuck his tongue out at Tony.

“Unbelievable. My own kid. Does your treachery know any bounds?”

“Nope.”

Rhodey looked at the skip card Natasha – much to Steve’s dismay – put down, and added a yellow 7 onto the pile. “Who would’ve thought game nights could get this intense.”

The yellow reverse Clint put down didn’t bring a smile to Pepper and her last card’s face. Steve, not having any yellow, had to draw a card from the deck. Natasha put down a wild card, leaving her with two.

“Mr. Stark, please no.”

But Tony didn’t listen. He was transfixed by the display: the wild card, and his own green +2. “You should’ve thought of that earlier,” he said breathlessly and put the card down.

Peter scoffed, offended. “I can’t believe you’ve done that.”

“I’m just giving you a taste of your own medicine.”

“I always liked Pepper more.”

“Oh, so it’s like that, huh?”

“Okay, how about we play Twister instead,” Steve made a peace offering.

“Against these two that can practically twist themselves into pretzels?!” Tony cried out, pointing at Peter and Natasha. “Only if they’re spinning.”

Pepper rolled her eyes. “Come on, Tony. You’re being ridiculous.”

“You’re saying that only because you want to play Monopoly.”

“I thought Monopoly was supposed to be the game that breaks families apart, not Uno” Clint commented and put his two last 4s down. “Oh hey, I win!”

my new favourite spiderman panel/quote

I'd like to think that Mobius has some pretty nice handwriting and Loki adores it.

For example, he asks Loki to look over his notes for a case to either catch him up or is just in need of a second pair of eyes. Loki tries to read it but is honestly distracted by the simple yet elegant swoop and swirl of each letter. Instead of actually reading the notes he finds himself staring, scanning over every word and every letter- intricate yet carefree.

'Beautiful as though it was poetry in itself, a unity of sorts,' Loki thinks to himself.

"So what do you think? " Mobius drags him back to reality and Loki gets flustered not realizing what he's been doing until he's been doing it for too long.

"Oh- yes quite right, it looks fine." He hands back the notes hastily, overcome with feeling warm he avoids looking at Mobius. "I'm going to check on another file," he says leaving Mobius at their table confused beyond all measure.

Billionaire Tony…

Does things like:

Making smoothie for his team

Chopping wood for a teammate

Repairing a tractor for the teammate

Playing paper football

Doing dishes

Tinkering in the garage

Building a bar with his science bro

And does not know what art is

I HAVE A FIC IDEA vol.10

Tony tries to get Peter to call him by his first name. Peter hits him with "the only way I'll ever call adults by their first name is adding "uncle/aunt" before that."

Tony somehow despises the idea. He also has no idea why that is.