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ysabetwordsmithThis story belongs to the series Love Is For Children which includes "Love Is for Children," "Hairpins," "Blended," "Am I Not," "Eggshells," "Dolls and Guys,""Saudades," "Querencia," "Turnabout Is Fair Play," "Touching Moments," "Splash," "Coming Around," "Birthday Girl," "No Winter Lasts Forever," "Hide and Seek," "Kernel Error," "Happy Hour," "Green Eggs and Hulk," and "kintsukuroi."
Fandom: The Avengers
Characters: Phil Coulson, Nick Fury
Medium: Fiction
Warnings: Minor character death. Bullying. Fighting. Suicide attempt (minor character).
Summary: This is the story of how a little boy named Flip grows up to save the world a lot.
Notes: Hurt/comfort. Family. Fluff and angst. Accidents. Emotional whump. Disability. Sibling relationship. Nonsexual love. Parentification. Manipulation. Coping skills. Asking for help and getting it. Hope. Protection. Caregiving. Competence. Toys and games. Comic books. Fixing things. Martial arts. Gentleness. Trust. Role models. Military. BAMF Phil Coulson.
Begin with Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26, Part 27, Part 28, Part 29, Part 30, Part 31, Part 32, Part 33, Part 34.
Here ends "Little and Broken, but Still Good." Thank you all for sticking with the series this far! I love your input. Final thoughts on the story overall are welcome, in addition to reactions on this specific chapter. I also have a list of favorite photogenic scenes from the whole series for fanartists to consider, partly compiled from audience requests.
Next up is "Idjit," which comes from Supernatural. After that, we'll switch back to Love Is For Children. with "Up the Water Spout."
A note on feedback: While it's not necessary to comment on every post I make, remember that I don't know who reads/likes things if nobody says anything. Particularly on long stories, I've discovered that I get antsy if there's nothing but crickets chirping for several posts. So it helps to give me feedback at least once, even if it's just "I like this" or "This one doesn't grab me." First and last episodes are ideal if you rarely feel inspired to comment in the middle.
"Little and Broken, but Still Good" Part 35
Phil is laid up in his quarters with a baker's dozen broken ribs when Agent Hill sends him a care package of movies to watch. She knows his tastes well. The Animatrix plays right into Phil's old fondness for shadow work and intrigue. Yet "The New Renaissance" reverses his perspective of the entire Matrix trilogy, realizing that it was not the machines but the humans who started the war.
"At B166-ER's murder trial, the prosecution argued for an owner's right to destroy property. B166-ER testified that he simply did not want to die," the narrator says. Phil shivers. Any nation that identifies some individuals as unpersons is liable to get into the kind of trouble that results in a call for SHIELD assistance.
Brother Bear is sweeter and more hopeful. Kenai's description of brotherhood makes Phil chuckle. "I went on the longest, hardest, most exhausting journey I have ever been on with the biggest pain in the neck I have ever met! But hey. What else do you expect from a little brother?" It's exactly like that.
A later line makes him pause to think, though. "Well, it's kind of about a man ... and kind of about a bear. But mostly, it's about a monster," Kenai says. Oh, Phil knows about monsters -- and he knows that what makes a monster isn't at all about the shape, but about the spirit. Wrongful death weighs heavy on the conscience, even if you didn't mean for it to happen. Especially if you didn't mean it. Phil cheers when Kenai and Koda manage to make up.
Phil turns to Lilo & Stitch next. He had missed it in theaters because he was busy infiltrating AIM at the time. Cobra Bubbles reminds him more than a bit of Nick Fury. Phil wonders if his old friend ever moonlighted as a social worker. But the plot hits so close to home that Phil cries through the entire movie.
" 'Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind. But if you want to leave, you can. I'll remember you though. I remember everyone that leaves," Lilo says to Stitch as he heads for the window. Phil aches with the memory of losing his father.
"It's okay, my dog found the chainsaw," Lilo says to Bubbles while the aliens are attacking her house. Phil sympathizes. His life isn't quite that far gone, but you can see it from where he's standing.
"This is my family. I found it all on my own. It's little and broken, but still good. Yeah -- still good," Stitch says to the Grand Councilwoman when she asks about Lilo and Nani. Phil knows that it's not size or perfection that makes a family, but love.
That right there is Phil's story in a nutshell. Now he feels almost glad that he hadn't gone to see it with his sister. By the time the movie ends, his chest hurts so much that it's all he can do to drag himself to the bathroom, swallow some codeine, and pass out in bed.
The next day he does it all again.
* * *
Notes:
Broken ribs often result from bashing into things. Know the immediate and long-term care.
The Animatrix is a series of animated shorts related to the Matrix movies. "The Second Renaissance" gives the backstory of the how humans started the war.
The personhood and ethics of artificial intelligence are key issues in that field.
Brother Bear is an animated movie about personal transformation. The quote comes from its wiki page.
"What makes a monster?" is a question raised in many stories, such as Frankenstein. We may also consider what makes a monster scary. Yet the scariest monsters tend to be human, like serial killers.
Lilo & Stitch is an animated movie about two misfits who fit together perfectly. See wikiquote for the lines borrowed.
'Ohana is the Hawaiian word for "family." People may ask what makes a family or wonder about different kinds of families. There are simple and more detailed characteristics of a healthy family. Understand how to have a good family life.
~ MISSION ACCOMPLISHED ~
Fandom: The Avengers
Characters: Phil Coulson, Nick Fury
Medium: Fiction
Warnings: Minor character death. Bullying. Fighting. Suicide attempt (minor character).
Summary: This is the story of how a little boy named Flip grows up to save the world a lot.
Notes: Hurt/comfort. Family. Fluff and angst. Accidents. Emotional whump. Disability. Sibling relationship. Nonsexual love. Parentification. Manipulation. Coping skills. Asking for help and getting it. Hope. Protection. Caregiving. Competence. Toys and games. Comic books. Fixing things. Martial arts. Gentleness. Trust. Role models. Military. BAMF Phil Coulson.
Begin with Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26, Part 27, Part 28, Part 29, Part 30, Part 31, Part 32, Part 33, Part 34.
Here ends "Little and Broken, but Still Good." Thank you all for sticking with the series this far! I love your input. Final thoughts on the story overall are welcome, in addition to reactions on this specific chapter. I also have a list of favorite photogenic scenes from the whole series for fanartists to consider, partly compiled from audience requests.
Next up is "Idjit," which comes from Supernatural. After that, we'll switch back to Love Is For Children. with "Up the Water Spout."
A note on feedback: While it's not necessary to comment on every post I make, remember that I don't know who reads/likes things if nobody says anything. Particularly on long stories, I've discovered that I get antsy if there's nothing but crickets chirping for several posts. So it helps to give me feedback at least once, even if it's just "I like this" or "This one doesn't grab me." First and last episodes are ideal if you rarely feel inspired to comment in the middle.
"Little and Broken, but Still Good" Part 35
Phil is laid up in his quarters with a baker's dozen broken ribs when Agent Hill sends him a care package of movies to watch. She knows his tastes well. The Animatrix plays right into Phil's old fondness for shadow work and intrigue. Yet "The New Renaissance" reverses his perspective of the entire Matrix trilogy, realizing that it was not the machines but the humans who started the war.
"At B166-ER's murder trial, the prosecution argued for an owner's right to destroy property. B166-ER testified that he simply did not want to die," the narrator says. Phil shivers. Any nation that identifies some individuals as unpersons is liable to get into the kind of trouble that results in a call for SHIELD assistance.
Brother Bear is sweeter and more hopeful. Kenai's description of brotherhood makes Phil chuckle. "I went on the longest, hardest, most exhausting journey I have ever been on with the biggest pain in the neck I have ever met! But hey. What else do you expect from a little brother?" It's exactly like that.
A later line makes him pause to think, though. "Well, it's kind of about a man ... and kind of about a bear. But mostly, it's about a monster," Kenai says. Oh, Phil knows about monsters -- and he knows that what makes a monster isn't at all about the shape, but about the spirit. Wrongful death weighs heavy on the conscience, even if you didn't mean for it to happen. Especially if you didn't mean it. Phil cheers when Kenai and Koda manage to make up.
Phil turns to Lilo & Stitch next. He had missed it in theaters because he was busy infiltrating AIM at the time. Cobra Bubbles reminds him more than a bit of Nick Fury. Phil wonders if his old friend ever moonlighted as a social worker. But the plot hits so close to home that Phil cries through the entire movie.
" 'Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind. But if you want to leave, you can. I'll remember you though. I remember everyone that leaves," Lilo says to Stitch as he heads for the window. Phil aches with the memory of losing his father.
"It's okay, my dog found the chainsaw," Lilo says to Bubbles while the aliens are attacking her house. Phil sympathizes. His life isn't quite that far gone, but you can see it from where he's standing.
"This is my family. I found it all on my own. It's little and broken, but still good. Yeah -- still good," Stitch says to the Grand Councilwoman when she asks about Lilo and Nani. Phil knows that it's not size or perfection that makes a family, but love.
That right there is Phil's story in a nutshell. Now he feels almost glad that he hadn't gone to see it with his sister. By the time the movie ends, his chest hurts so much that it's all he can do to drag himself to the bathroom, swallow some codeine, and pass out in bed.
The next day he does it all again.
* * *
Notes:
Broken ribs often result from bashing into things. Know the immediate and long-term care.
The Animatrix is a series of animated shorts related to the Matrix movies. "The Second Renaissance" gives the backstory of the how humans started the war.
The personhood and ethics of artificial intelligence are key issues in that field.
Brother Bear is an animated movie about personal transformation. The quote comes from its wiki page.
"What makes a monster?" is a question raised in many stories, such as Frankenstein. We may also consider what makes a monster scary. Yet the scariest monsters tend to be human, like serial killers.
Lilo & Stitch is an animated movie about two misfits who fit together perfectly. See wikiquote for the lines borrowed.
'Ohana is the Hawaiian word for "family." People may ask what makes a family or wonder about different kinds of families. There are simple and more detailed characteristics of a healthy family. Understand how to have a good family life.
~ MISSION ACCOMPLISHED ~
Phil isn't
Date: 2014-08-22 05:43 am (UTC)This was wonderful. Simple, powerful if one already knew the movie references, intriguing for the novel ones.
Thank you.
Re: Phil isn't
Date: 2014-08-22 05:47 am (UTC)Aww! *hankie*
>> This was wonderful. Simple, powerful if one already knew the movie references, intriguing for the novel ones. <<
Yeah, I picked some personal favorites, which I thought would mesh well with Phil's personality too.
Me, I was Lilo. She is so obviously going to grow up and become a science fiction writer.
>> Thank you. <<
*bow, flourish* Happy to be of service.
Re: Phil isn't
From:Re: Phil isn't
From:Re: Phil isn't
From:Re: Phil isn't
From:Re: Phil isn't
From:Re: Phil isn't
From:(no subject)
Date: 2014-08-22 07:09 am (UTC)Thank you!
Date: 2014-08-24 11:43 pm (UTC)I'm glad that worked for you. It's exactly what I wanted to accomplish with this series.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-08-22 01:22 pm (UTC)That Ohana quote from Lilo and Stitch gets me everytime. It works so perfectly, for any family situation. It doesn't emphasise blood or even being related. It just says family is the people who look after each other.
I have read dozens of fics, and yours reliably reduce me to tears, and they teach me something. If there is such a thing as a guide for human behaviour and interaction, this is as close as it's going to get. Ysabet, you are a wordsmith of the highest order.
Thank you!
Date: 2014-08-24 09:42 am (UTC)That's a good idea. I've saved this for possible future reference.
>> That Ohana quote from Lilo and Stitch gets me everytime. It works so perfectly, for any family situation. It doesn't emphasise blood or even being related. It just says family is the people who look after each other. <<
Sooth. It's a favorite.
>> I have read dozens of fics, and yours reliably reduce me to tears, and they teach me something. If there is such a thing as a guide for human behaviour and interaction, this is as close as it's going to get. Ysabet, you are a wordsmith of the highest order. <<
*bow, flourish* I am honored.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-08-22 04:20 pm (UTC)(but in a good way)
Aww...
Date: 2014-08-22 07:45 pm (UTC)I'm glad you found this so moving.
Pleased by your Phil
Date: 2014-08-22 06:48 pm (UTC)Re: Pleased by your Phil
Date: 2014-08-23 09:37 am (UTC)I'm glad this resonated with you.
>> You perhaps painted him too perfect in his virtues, <<
I think of Phil as a lot like Steve: he's human, he makes mistakes, but he doesn't hurt people out of unfounded malice. And like Steve, there are times when Phil carries virtue into vice: he stays loyal to Nick Fury despite his friend's degeneration into some pretty heinous behavior, which has seriously harmed several of the Avengers.
>> but well, I actually am having trouble trying to pinpoint not-nice Phil, so... <<
Just imagine him facing down any enemy who has hurt one of his people. Like that lovely scene in the movie: "Put the woman on the phone or I will vaporize the building before you can make it to the lobby."
>> In any case, I quite enjoyed the journey, so thanks for this nice story! <<
Yay!
You mentioned my favorite movie!
Date: 2014-08-22 07:46 pm (UTC)I liked this one. It didn't have the age-play and fixing-self stuff that I came for, but I think it's important that we have more back story for Phil and can work on seeing what makes him how he is. Thank you for writing this.
Re: You mentioned my favorite movie!
Date: 2014-08-22 11:52 pm (UTC)It's okay to get excited about things you love; no apology required.
Are you familiar with Schrodinger's Heroes? I did a Lilo & Stitch crossover there, "The Lobster Door," which you would probably love.
>> Links in the bottom to family stuff will be thoroughly explored. <<
*bow, flourish* Happy to be of service!
>> I liked this one. It didn't have the age-play and fixing-self stuff that I came for, <<
I have wondered how well it's working, as a series, when it started out as pure ageplay fluff and has since gotten into more serious territory, including some before the advent of Game Night. But people seem to like it for the hurt/comfort and generally nonsexual content, so that's promising.
>> but I think it's important that we have more back story for Phil and can work on seeing what makes him how he is. Thank you for writing this. <<
You're welcome! This story actually arose out of reader discussion, trying to figure out how Phil got into the rather improbable configuration he displays in canon.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-08-22 10:52 pm (UTC)Thank you!
Date: 2014-08-23 06:43 am (UTC)I'm happy to hear that.
>> I would love to get a bit more in to Clint's back story in the future. <<
I'd enjoy doing that, if I have time.
>> There is a comic version of him that is Deaf as well. <<
I've heard of that, although not seen it. I'm tempted to write Deaf!Clint someday. It doesn't fit into Love Is For Children, but I did posit him having weak ears.
>> Looking forward to more. <<
Yay!
(no subject)
Date: 2014-08-23 01:44 am (UTC)Thank you!
Date: 2014-08-23 01:48 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2014-08-23 02:53 am (UTC)That whole broken ribs thing. My husband was in a car crash, and broke and dislocated every rib on the left side of his body. It's been years, and they still give him trouble. Oh, and one of the pieces punctured his lung, he almost got pneumonia.
Thank you!
Date: 2014-08-23 03:27 am (UTC)I'm happy to hear that.
>> That whole broken ribs thing. My husband was in a car crash, and broke and dislocated every rib on the left side of his body. It's been years, and they still give him trouble. Oh, and one of the pieces punctured his lung, he almost got pneumonia. <<
How awful! Phil was lucky, just a lot of cracks and some breaks that were clear through but didn't displace the bones much.
Over in Polychrome Heroics, however, there's a passing reference to how Hefty once got into a fight that ended with breaking someone's ribs, including a puncture that ended the kid's track & field practice.
Re: Thank you!
From:Re: Thank you!
From:(no subject)
Date: 2014-08-23 03:46 am (UTC)*MORE applause*
this. This is what I needed to read before turning off the computer and heading to Burning man.
thanks for this. I will never not love your Phil.
Thank you!
Date: 2014-08-23 08:43 am (UTC)*MORE applause* <<
*bow, flourish*
>> this. This is what I needed to read before turning off the computer and heading to Burning man. <<
I'm happy to hear that. Have fun at your festival. When you come home, there should be more goodies posted.
>> thanks for this. I will never not love your Phil. <<
Yay! I'm glad he appeals to you so much.
Ace-fan
Date: 2014-08-24 02:03 am (UTC)The "bringing in from the cold" aspect of Phil's job is awesome, and I would LOVE to see that developed in a story or two about Clint and Natasha. His skill as the one who cleans up, the hero in the shadows, and the "Men in Black" feel to SHIELD is also cool.
I find it kind of fascinating how the quiet, unassuming government guy in the cheap suit, became such a fandom favourite that he got added to the comics and even got his own tv show. I guess at heart, most of us just love the "ordinary" hero.
This is a great way to explain how Agent Coulson, super!handler and World's Mightiest Uncle came to be. The background you've envisioned blends perfectly with the canon character, and it was great seeing the foundations of the Phil we know from LIFC being formed. So even though I'm sad it's over, this was a really satisfying read, and I guess despite my desire for another hundred chapters, I have to admit that it ends in a good place. Can't wait for the next instalment! Yay Natasha!
Re: Ace-fan
Date: 2014-08-24 05:34 am (UTC)I'm glad it worked for you.
>> (By the way, I felt kinda sad when he switched from Flip. They grow up so fast!) <<
Yeah, it had the same effect on me. He's so adorable at that age.
>> The "bringing in from the cold" aspect of Phil's job is awesome, and I would LOVE to see that developed in a story or two about Clint and Natasha. <<
I may write those, if I have time. I actually have a few scene sketches from Clint's.
>> His skill as the one who cleans up, the hero in the shadows, and the "Men in Black" feel to SHIELD is also cool. <<
I'm happy to hear that.
>> I find it kind of fascinating how the quiet, unassuming government guy in the cheap suit, became such a fandom favourite that he got added to the comics and even got his own tv show. I guess at heart, most of us just love the "ordinary" hero. <<
We do at that. It shows with Clint and Tony too, who are also unmodified members of the team. This is also why I write some supernary characters over in Polychrome Heroics, like Hefty and the Rescuer.
>> This is a great way to explain how Agent Coulson, super!handler and World's Mightiest Uncle came to be. The background you've envisioned blends perfectly with the canon character, and it was great seeing the foundations of the Phil we know from LIFC being formed. <<
Derive in, extrapolate out. I really wanted to lay some foundation for the seeming contradictions in Phil's personality.
>> So even though I'm sad it's over, this was a really satisfying read, and I guess despite my desire for another hundred chapters, I have to admit that it ends in a good place. <<
*happydance*
>> Can't wait for the next instalment! Yay Natasha! <<
Yeah, that little story is close to done, and unlike recent ones, the majority of it is ageplay. I also finished a poem about Bucky which will have to be broken into sections, it's too long for a single post.
onomastica
Date: 2014-08-24 06:37 pm (UTC)And I was wondering, just before reading this last part, where the name "Coulson" comes from, so I looked it up.Ever hear of Finn McCool? (rhetorical question)
Re: onomastica
Date: 2014-08-24 07:50 pm (UTC)Yay!
>> And I was wondering, just before reading this last part, where the name "Coulson" comes from, so I looked it up. <<
*laugh* Oh I've been getting a kick, all along, from someone with a Fian name being in charge of "the Avengers." The old weapon Fragarach, usually rendered as a sword but occasionally other things, means "Answerer," "Retaliator" ... or "Avenger." *geeksquee*
Re: onomastica
From:Re: onomastica
From:(no subject)
Date: 2014-08-25 01:35 pm (UTC)- qwanderer (AO3)
(no subject)
Date: 2014-08-25 10:49 pm (UTC)-A
Thank you!
Date: 2014-08-25 10:57 pm (UTC)Yay!
>> I love reading through all the different facets, and seeing Flip/Phil's journey to where he is now. Thank you for another amazing read! <<
You're welcome, and I'm glad the character evolution worked for you.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-08-25 11:22 pm (UTC)Yay!
Date: 2014-08-25 11:27 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2014-08-26 08:28 pm (UTC)Santosha
Thank you!
Date: 2014-08-27 06:18 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2014-08-31 07:29 am (UTC)Thank you very much for sharing!
Caroline
Thank you for this wonderful work
Date: 2014-09-18 07:14 pm (UTC)Re: Thank you for this wonderful work
Date: 2014-09-19 05:38 am (UTC)I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. That was basically the point of this story.
>> And the last scene with him watching Lilo & Stitch is so incredibly powerful. <<
Yay! I wanted something that would capture the nature of Phil's past, and that quote popped into my head, so it's what I built the ending around. The Avengers are 'ohana.
>> That movie means an awful lot to me (and many other readers it would appear). <<
To me also. It's an effective lesson about what makes a family, and what a good family does ... even if it's little and broken.
(no subject)
Date: 2015-12-06 05:08 pm (UTC)Thank you!
Date: 2015-12-07 09:30 am (UTC)Comments are always welcome, but never required.
>> It makes a lot of the rest of the series make sense re: Phil's reactions to things. <<
Yay! There is so much of Phil in canon that works, but doesn't make sense without an explanation. How the heck did a white guy with military background wind up with underdog skills at BAMF level? So I filled in the gaps. :D
>>I like Phil's mom and Alexa a lot and I hope we see more of them throughout the series.<<
I might; I have a few ideas, if I have time to write them out.
(no subject)
Date: 2015-12-27 12:55 am (UTC)https://youtu.be/RAdINXst-QM
Wow!
Date: 2015-12-27 02:11 am (UTC)I love Little and Broken but Still Good
Date: 2017-11-16 01:18 am (UTC)Re: I love Little and Broken but Still Good
Date: 2017-11-16 02:34 am (UTC)Yay!
>>My sister kept telling me I should read this and I thought I didn't feel like reading a long story... but then I gave it a try and I am captivated. <<
I'm happy to hear that.
>> It's so realistic and poignant and beautifull! Your comments at the end of your chapters made me think, especially the parts about avoiding conflicts and I think it made me wiser! ;-) So thank you for sharing this story.<<
This is the series that got me doing footnotes as a regular thing, which is very popular. I'm glad you find them useful.
Again
Date: 2018-09-27 07:45 pm (UTC)