Story: "Birthday Girl" (Part 10 of 18)

This story is a sequel to "Love Is for Children," "Eggshells," "Dolls and Guys," "Turnabout Is Fair Play," and "Touching Moments," "Splash," and "Coming Around."

Fandom: The Avengers
Characters: Phil Coulson, Clint Barton, Natasha Romanova, Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, Hulk, Steve Rogers, Betty Ross, JARVIS.
Medium: Fiction
Warnings: Inferences of past child abuse. Current environment is safe.
Summary: Doombots crash a beautiful spring day in the park. The Avengers clean up the mess. This includes Natasha's rather confused longing for something she never had: a birthday party.
Notes: Asexual character (Clint). Aromantic character (Natasha). Asexual relationship. Teamwork. Canon-typical violence. Friendship. Confusion. Hulk is a genius too. Fluff. Making up for lost time. Birthday. Cultural traditions. Games. Gifts. Cake. The cake is never a lie! Tickling. Trust issues. Safety and security. Non-sexual touching and intimacy. Personal growth. Family of choice.

Begin with Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9.  Skip to Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18.

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Building Trust

As part of the three_weeks_for_dw project (running April 25-May 15), I'm posting some content just to Dreamwidth. This is a good opportunity to seek new readers for your blog and new blogs to read, and to recommend stuff you enjoy on other people's blogs to help them make new connections too. Previously we discussed "Skin Hunger," "Touch Aversion," "Primates Need Touch," "Self-Soothing and Self-Control," "Compassion and Gentleness," and "Creating Safe Space."  Skip ahead to "Healthy Vulnerability," "Coping with Emotional Drop."


Building Trust

Trust is an emotion, the feeling that someone will keep their promises and do good instead of harm. It is related to but distinct from reliance, the action of behaving as if someone is dependable, whether or not the emotion of trust is present. Trust can be given, damaged, and restored. Trust issues may arise when someone has difficulty trusting anyone after a betrayal. This is especially true for survivors of trauma. However, many different causes can impair trust.

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Nature Photos

 Squirrel!  With abstract color extras.

Writing About Disability

 Here's an interesting essay about portrayals of disability in film and literature.

Female Superheroes

 ... as imagined by little girls.  Awesome.

New Crowdfunding Project: "Lost Cantos Audiobook"

 Hunt Press has a new campaign to make an audiobook of "Lost Cantos of the Ouroboros Caves."