>> This chapter has a lot in it. I am not quite sure where to begin. <<
*hugs*
>> I guess I will start with the happy feels. I love how Steve was feeding Clint. It really speaks that he watches and cares for his team. <<
Sooth. Steve is very invested in making sure everyone has enough to eat. Otherwise he doesn't feel comfortable eating as much as he needs to. So he copes with his increased appetite by checking in with other folks.
>> I love how everyone was readily willing to share food. Bucky and Steve who went through the depression really hit home. <<
Most of the Avengers have gone hungry before, and that contributes to their challenges with food. But they are also learning that they have plenty now, it's not going to run out. Food becomes a source of comfort and belonging for their teamfamily. Part of that is sharing.
>> I love how Steve and Bucky helped Tom without bringing attention to it. They let him have his dignity.<<
Among the most important things about dealing with disability are dignity, respect, and discretion. The roots of this go back to Steve and Bucky growing up, and then in the war together; but they've had a lot more recent experience coping with limitations among the team. Bucky's arm. Tony's arc reactor. Everybody's PTSD. They're learning how to be gentle with that stuff.
>> I really love how the youngsters gave up the table they were at. I love how you put that shining light on the fact that there are people who care even young ones.<<
Yay! :D On a few occasions, I have seen some really moving displays of gratitude, and most of them go by in a blink like this.
>>The sad feels come from Tom's story. I love how you put a light on the harsh side of war.<<
Someone has to. I think too many writers gloss it up. I am not a fan of glorifying war, although there can be moments of shining glory in it. Mostly war is mud and shit and terror and people dying horribly.
But one reason for telling these stories is to remember them. When I write about war, it's a pastiche of otherlife memories, stories I've heard from veterans, and things I've read in history books. I tend to combine them so that it's not an exact replica of any one story, but then again, some stories are true more than once. Think of this as a quilt made from the clothes of the fallen.
>> I believe (and Helgatwb can correct me if I am wrong) that one of our uncles lied to get into the army as well. <<
That's one I've heard repeatedly. It's harder now but still happens. There are also stories of women passing as men in every battle throughout history. (Or presumably, some of them were crossdressing women, while others were transfolk who did not have the benefit of modern reconstruction.) Most often it was boys who looked older than their age that would pass as men. And quite a lot of fellas did what Steve did, trying to hide disabilities to get in. Suicide among the rejected was a serious problem in WWI and WWII.
>> It is sad that the kid died, but that is the way it happens. Not every story has a good ending. <<
Yes. Sometimes all we can do is witness and remember, that they not be forgotten; and work to preserve peace, that they not die in vain. And he did make a difference, so while it's not a happy ending, I think of it as a good one.
>> There is probably more I haven't quite processed, but this chapter to me, was the best one so far. <<
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dancing_serpent
Thank you!
Date: 2015-07-01 07:57 am (UTC)*hugs*
>> I guess I will start with the happy feels. I love how Steve was feeding Clint. It really speaks that he watches and cares for his team. <<
Sooth. Steve is very invested in making sure everyone has enough to eat. Otherwise he doesn't feel comfortable eating as much as he needs to. So he copes with his increased appetite by checking in with other folks.
>> I love how everyone was readily willing to share food. Bucky and Steve who went through the depression really hit home. <<
Most of the Avengers have gone hungry before, and that contributes to their challenges with food. But they are also learning that they have plenty now, it's not going to run out. Food becomes a source of comfort and belonging for their teamfamily. Part of that is sharing.
>> I love how Steve and Bucky helped Tom without bringing attention to it. They let him have his dignity.<<
Among the most important things about dealing with disability are dignity, respect, and discretion. The roots of this go back to Steve and Bucky growing up, and then in the war together; but they've had a lot more recent experience coping with limitations among the team. Bucky's arm. Tony's arc reactor. Everybody's PTSD. They're learning how to be gentle with that stuff.
>> I really love how the youngsters gave up the table they were at. I love how you put that shining light on the fact that there are people who care even young ones.<<
Yay! :D On a few occasions, I have seen some really moving displays of gratitude, and most of them go by in a blink like this.
>>The sad feels come from Tom's story. I love how you put a light on the harsh side of war.<<
Someone has to. I think too many writers gloss it up. I am not a fan of glorifying war, although there can be moments of shining glory in it. Mostly war is mud and shit and terror and people dying horribly.
But one reason for telling these stories is to remember them. When I write about war, it's a pastiche of otherlife memories, stories I've heard from veterans, and things I've read in history books. I tend to combine them so that it's not an exact replica of any one story, but then again, some stories are true more than once. Think of this as a quilt made from the clothes of the fallen.
>> I believe (and Helgatwb can correct me if I am wrong) that one of our uncles lied to get into the army as well. <<
That's one I've heard repeatedly. It's harder now but still happens. There are also stories of women passing as men in every battle throughout history. (Or presumably, some of them were crossdressing women, while others were transfolk who did not have the benefit of modern reconstruction.) Most often it was boys who looked older than their age that would pass as men. And quite a lot of fellas did what Steve did, trying to hide disabilities to get in. Suicide among the rejected was a serious problem in WWI and WWII.
>> It is sad that the kid died, but that is the way it happens. Not every story has a good ending. <<
Yes. Sometimes all we can do is witness and remember, that they not be forgotten; and work to preserve peace, that they not die in vain. And he did make a difference, so while it's not a happy ending, I think of it as a good one.
>> There is probably more I haven't quite processed, but this chapter to me, was the best one so far. <<
I am honored.