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ysabetwordsmithThis story is a sequel to "Love Is for Children," "Eggshells," "Dolls and Guys," "Turnabout Is Fair Play," and "Touching Moments," "Splash," "Coming Around," and "Birthday Girl."
Fandom: The Avengers
Characters: Phil Coulson, Clint Barton, Natasha Romanova, Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, Hulk, Steve Rogers, Betty Ross, JARVIS, Bucky Barnes, Nick Fury.
Medium: Fiction
Warnings: Mind control. Inferences of past child abuse and other torture. Current environment is supportive.
Summary: A mission in Russia introduces the Avengers to the Winter Soldier. Steve wants Bucky back and will stop at nothing to make that happen. Everyone else helps however they can.
Notes: Asexual character (Clint). Aromantic character (Natasha). Asexual relationship. Sibling relationships. Fix-it. Teamwork. Canon-typical violence. BAMF!Avengers. Bucky!whump. Vulgar language. Drama. Rescue. Hurt/Comfort. Emotional whump. Survivor guilt. Friendship. Confusion. Mind control. Memory loss. Slow recovery. Nick Fury makes stupid-ass decisions. Fear of loss. Arc reactor. Fluff. Nonsexual ageplay. Making up for lost time. Tony Stark has a heart. Games. Trust issues. Safety and security. Howard Stark's A+ parenting. Obadiah Stane's A+ parenting. Food issues. Multiplicity/Plurality. Sleep issues. Non-sexual touching and intimacy. Yoga. Personal growth. Family of choice. ALL THE FEELS. #coulsonlives.
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. Skip to Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24.
"No Winter Lasts Forever" Part 19
"I could cut your hair, Bucky," Steve offered.
"If you ever put a bowl over my head again, I will paint your shield pink," Bucky said, his mood brightening to mischief.
It's like watching clouds move over the sun and then away again, Phil thought. He suspected that the mercurial quality was more imposed than innate, although it had built on earlier traits, based on Steve's previous stories about Bucky. Perhaps in time the wild swings would settle back toward normal.
"How was I supposed to know you wouldn't like it?" Steve asked Bucky. "You cut my hair that way."
"I could do it," Betty said quietly. "You've at least met me, Bucky. I've cut Bruce's hair before, pretty much for the same reason as yours. He'd been on the run for a while, it was all shaggy, and that bothered Hulk when they shifted. Hulk doesn't like it when his hair gets over his eyes so he can't see clearly." Phil remembered that from the bilgesnipe fight that ended with a team bath and Hulk mopping his wet hair out of his face.
Bucky stared at her. "My control is ... not very reliable right now," he said, rubbing a hand over his metal arm. "Do you not realize that I could snap and kill you?"
"In a room full of superheroes, that's not very likely," Betty said, sweeping a gaze around the table. "Besides, if your control is shaky then you need to practice holding it steady. I'm happy to help with that too. Bruce-and-Hulk find my presence soothing."
"So do I," Tony said. "I think it's your voice, you know? That time I hacked into the AIM system to call for pickup, hearing you on the other end was just -- okay, everything's fine now, we're going home. Such a relief."
It's not just Bruce responding to her as a handler. Betty is starting to have the same effect on the other team members too, Phil realized. It felt good to know they had more than one person who could fill that role if needed.
"Thank you, Tony, that's very sweet," Betty said. Bruce draped an arm around her waist and leaned into her.
Bucky sniffed, then said in a wondering tone, "You're not scared of me at all, are you?"
"No. Not much scares me anymore. Besides, you're a decent person who's been injured and might lash out, not a violent person who just likes intimidating and hurting people. That makes a big difference," Betty said. "So, do you want me to trim your hair or not?"
"... go ahead," Bucky said.
That's a good sign, Phil thought. He saw Bruce slip out of the room.
Tony jittered around the cabinets, pocketing a few extra smoothie ingredients from the bulk jars. "Little of this, dab of that ..." he muttered as he scooped things into baggies. His voice sounded edgy.
Phil didn't think it came from any fear of Bucky, but he suspected it was related somehow. He sidled over to Tony's corner of the kitchen. "Are you all right?" he murmured.
"Yeah, it's just -- Steve told me about the crap with Fury and the World Insecurity Council," Tony said. His eyes narrowed. "I am so very pissed with them right now. I have a few things in mind. Don't get in my way."
"I wasn't planning to," Phil said mildly. People had been warned not to toy with the Avengers; let them reap the consequences of ignoring those warnings. "Just don't leave yourself vulnerable, Tony. Those people have no mercy."
Tony clicked his nails sharply against the arc reactor. "I don't need their mercy. I have brains and science," he said. "Guys who tried manipulating me in the past never had any mercy either, and look how well that turned out for them."
"I did actually point that out to Fury, pictures and all," Phil said.
Tony flashed the razored grin that Phil recalled from the infamous Senate meeting. "Knew there was a reason I kept you around," Tony said.
"The only thing I'll ask is that, if you haven't already released the recording of the confrontation in Fury's office -- and I know you have that -- please hold onto it for now," Phil said. "Seeing proof of betrayal would destroy SHIELD morale. Let's see if we can find a way to defuse the situation that will do less collateral damage than Fury's style of planning usually does."
"And meanwhile it doesn't hurt to have blackmail material," Tony said. "Okay. I can work around that. By the way, I loved watching you go Agent Uncle all over Fury's ass. You're so protective." Then Tony disappeared out the door. He was getting to where he'd do things for other people, but either never thought of cleanup or considered it beneath him. Phil returned to the table.
"JARVIS, please find me one of the old photos of Bucky," said Betty. A hologram popped up showing Steve and Bucky together. "Now give us a few samples from current fashion that have a similar look and won't let his hair get in the way." Five more images appeared next to the first. "Okay, Bucky, pick one that you like, or if you hate them all, you can ask for more choices."
"The middle one looks fine," Bucky said.
Betty got up to stand next to Bucky. "JARVIS, display instructions," she said. The extra images closed, leaving the old picture and the middle sample for reference. Then a column of text appeared.
"You think you can learn hairstyling, just like that?" Bucky asked.
Betty chuckled. "Tony isn't the only genius who can pick up new skills with a good book and a few hours," she said. "Actually it's easier this time because I've got JARVIS to give me step-by-step instructions. Last time I just had to guess with what I could remember from styling magazines that I'd read in salons."
Bruce came back with a bath towel and a pair of scissors. "Figured you'd want these," he said.
"Thank you," Betty said. She draped the towel around Bucky's shoulders, making sure it covered everything. Then she put three fingers under his chin to tilt his head up and said, "Relax. Sit still. Be patient."
* * *
Notes:
A bowl cut is a simple hairstyle that looks something like this. Yes, it can be done by putting a bowl over someone's head and cutting around the rim. Most people used to cut their hair at home instead of going to a salon. Because the bowl cut is so easy, it's popular for children and people who can't or won't go to a stylist.
PTSD can cause serious control issues. It's linked to anger, violence, and impaired impulse control. This can raise the risk of domestic violence and other crimes. Bucky recognizes that he can't always control himself, so he's trying to find other ways of avoiding mishaps. There are tips for strengthening self-control.
The Avengers have an advantage in coping with outbursts: they're not just super-powered, they have some training in how to de-escalate conflicts. There is advice on what to do and not to do in calming an angry person, along with general ideas on controlling angry people. De-escalation is an important skill with step-by-step methods and techniques to avoid violence. There are also ways to control someone without hurting him.
Betty's soothing voice likely comes from a combination of innate talent and learned skill. Growing up in an abusive home, you learn to use whatever you've got to stay alive. There are general guidelines for improving your voice. There are also tips on how to cultivate a relaxing, friendly, and calm voice. It helps to speak gently to yourself and others. Betty also understands that good leaders stay calm in a crisis, and how to do that. Basically when people feel out of control, confused, or threatened they tend to gravitate to anyone who makes them feel safe.
The World Security Council is in charge of SHIELD and various other activities allegedly aimed at peace and stability. Their actions conflict with their stated intent. You can see why Tony doesn't like them.
Collateral damage is harm done to anything or anyone outside the intended target or goal. Director Fury believes that the end justifies the means and favors expediency over precision. Agent Coulson believes that today's mistakes become tomorrow's disasters and favors efficiency over speed. It's the difference between a chainsaw and a scalpel.
Here's an "old" picture of Bucky and Steve together. If you look closely at Bucky, then at the Winter Soldier in comics and the upcoming movie, you can see why the floppy hair would be driving him nuts. The modern haircut Bucky picked out would probably be along these lines.
[To be continued in Part 20 ...]
Fandom: The Avengers
Characters: Phil Coulson, Clint Barton, Natasha Romanova, Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, Hulk, Steve Rogers, Betty Ross, JARVIS, Bucky Barnes, Nick Fury.
Medium: Fiction
Warnings: Mind control. Inferences of past child abuse and other torture. Current environment is supportive.
Summary: A mission in Russia introduces the Avengers to the Winter Soldier. Steve wants Bucky back and will stop at nothing to make that happen. Everyone else helps however they can.
Notes: Asexual character (Clint). Aromantic character (Natasha). Asexual relationship. Sibling relationships. Fix-it. Teamwork. Canon-typical violence. BAMF!Avengers. Bucky!whump. Vulgar language. Drama. Rescue. Hurt/Comfort. Emotional whump. Survivor guilt. Friendship. Confusion. Mind control. Memory loss. Slow recovery. Nick Fury makes stupid-ass decisions. Fear of loss. Arc reactor. Fluff. Nonsexual ageplay. Making up for lost time. Tony Stark has a heart. Games. Trust issues. Safety and security. Howard Stark's A+ parenting. Obadiah Stane's A+ parenting. Food issues. Multiplicity/Plurality. Sleep issues. Non-sexual touching and intimacy. Yoga. Personal growth. Family of choice. ALL THE FEELS. #coulsonlives.
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. Skip to Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24.
"No Winter Lasts Forever" Part 19
"I could cut your hair, Bucky," Steve offered.
"If you ever put a bowl over my head again, I will paint your shield pink," Bucky said, his mood brightening to mischief.
It's like watching clouds move over the sun and then away again, Phil thought. He suspected that the mercurial quality was more imposed than innate, although it had built on earlier traits, based on Steve's previous stories about Bucky. Perhaps in time the wild swings would settle back toward normal.
"How was I supposed to know you wouldn't like it?" Steve asked Bucky. "You cut my hair that way."
"I could do it," Betty said quietly. "You've at least met me, Bucky. I've cut Bruce's hair before, pretty much for the same reason as yours. He'd been on the run for a while, it was all shaggy, and that bothered Hulk when they shifted. Hulk doesn't like it when his hair gets over his eyes so he can't see clearly." Phil remembered that from the bilgesnipe fight that ended with a team bath and Hulk mopping his wet hair out of his face.
Bucky stared at her. "My control is ... not very reliable right now," he said, rubbing a hand over his metal arm. "Do you not realize that I could snap and kill you?"
"In a room full of superheroes, that's not very likely," Betty said, sweeping a gaze around the table. "Besides, if your control is shaky then you need to practice holding it steady. I'm happy to help with that too. Bruce-and-Hulk find my presence soothing."
"So do I," Tony said. "I think it's your voice, you know? That time I hacked into the AIM system to call for pickup, hearing you on the other end was just -- okay, everything's fine now, we're going home. Such a relief."
It's not just Bruce responding to her as a handler. Betty is starting to have the same effect on the other team members too, Phil realized. It felt good to know they had more than one person who could fill that role if needed.
"Thank you, Tony, that's very sweet," Betty said. Bruce draped an arm around her waist and leaned into her.
Bucky sniffed, then said in a wondering tone, "You're not scared of me at all, are you?"
"No. Not much scares me anymore. Besides, you're a decent person who's been injured and might lash out, not a violent person who just likes intimidating and hurting people. That makes a big difference," Betty said. "So, do you want me to trim your hair or not?"
"... go ahead," Bucky said.
That's a good sign, Phil thought. He saw Bruce slip out of the room.
Tony jittered around the cabinets, pocketing a few extra smoothie ingredients from the bulk jars. "Little of this, dab of that ..." he muttered as he scooped things into baggies. His voice sounded edgy.
Phil didn't think it came from any fear of Bucky, but he suspected it was related somehow. He sidled over to Tony's corner of the kitchen. "Are you all right?" he murmured.
"Yeah, it's just -- Steve told me about the crap with Fury and the World Insecurity Council," Tony said. His eyes narrowed. "I am so very pissed with them right now. I have a few things in mind. Don't get in my way."
"I wasn't planning to," Phil said mildly. People had been warned not to toy with the Avengers; let them reap the consequences of ignoring those warnings. "Just don't leave yourself vulnerable, Tony. Those people have no mercy."
Tony clicked his nails sharply against the arc reactor. "I don't need their mercy. I have brains and science," he said. "Guys who tried manipulating me in the past never had any mercy either, and look how well that turned out for them."
"I did actually point that out to Fury, pictures and all," Phil said.
Tony flashed the razored grin that Phil recalled from the infamous Senate meeting. "Knew there was a reason I kept you around," Tony said.
"The only thing I'll ask is that, if you haven't already released the recording of the confrontation in Fury's office -- and I know you have that -- please hold onto it for now," Phil said. "Seeing proof of betrayal would destroy SHIELD morale. Let's see if we can find a way to defuse the situation that will do less collateral damage than Fury's style of planning usually does."
"And meanwhile it doesn't hurt to have blackmail material," Tony said. "Okay. I can work around that. By the way, I loved watching you go Agent Uncle all over Fury's ass. You're so protective." Then Tony disappeared out the door. He was getting to where he'd do things for other people, but either never thought of cleanup or considered it beneath him. Phil returned to the table.
"JARVIS, please find me one of the old photos of Bucky," said Betty. A hologram popped up showing Steve and Bucky together. "Now give us a few samples from current fashion that have a similar look and won't let his hair get in the way." Five more images appeared next to the first. "Okay, Bucky, pick one that you like, or if you hate them all, you can ask for more choices."
"The middle one looks fine," Bucky said.
Betty got up to stand next to Bucky. "JARVIS, display instructions," she said. The extra images closed, leaving the old picture and the middle sample for reference. Then a column of text appeared.
"You think you can learn hairstyling, just like that?" Bucky asked.
Betty chuckled. "Tony isn't the only genius who can pick up new skills with a good book and a few hours," she said. "Actually it's easier this time because I've got JARVIS to give me step-by-step instructions. Last time I just had to guess with what I could remember from styling magazines that I'd read in salons."
Bruce came back with a bath towel and a pair of scissors. "Figured you'd want these," he said.
"Thank you," Betty said. She draped the towel around Bucky's shoulders, making sure it covered everything. Then she put three fingers under his chin to tilt his head up and said, "Relax. Sit still. Be patient."
* * *
Notes:
A bowl cut is a simple hairstyle that looks something like this. Yes, it can be done by putting a bowl over someone's head and cutting around the rim. Most people used to cut their hair at home instead of going to a salon. Because the bowl cut is so easy, it's popular for children and people who can't or won't go to a stylist.
PTSD can cause serious control issues. It's linked to anger, violence, and impaired impulse control. This can raise the risk of domestic violence and other crimes. Bucky recognizes that he can't always control himself, so he's trying to find other ways of avoiding mishaps. There are tips for strengthening self-control.
The Avengers have an advantage in coping with outbursts: they're not just super-powered, they have some training in how to de-escalate conflicts. There is advice on what to do and not to do in calming an angry person, along with general ideas on controlling angry people. De-escalation is an important skill with step-by-step methods and techniques to avoid violence. There are also ways to control someone without hurting him.
Betty's soothing voice likely comes from a combination of innate talent and learned skill. Growing up in an abusive home, you learn to use whatever you've got to stay alive. There are general guidelines for improving your voice. There are also tips on how to cultivate a relaxing, friendly, and calm voice. It helps to speak gently to yourself and others. Betty also understands that good leaders stay calm in a crisis, and how to do that. Basically when people feel out of control, confused, or threatened they tend to gravitate to anyone who makes them feel safe.
The World Security Council is in charge of SHIELD and various other activities allegedly aimed at peace and stability. Their actions conflict with their stated intent. You can see why Tony doesn't like them.
Collateral damage is harm done to anything or anyone outside the intended target or goal. Director Fury believes that the end justifies the means and favors expediency over precision. Agent Coulson believes that today's mistakes become tomorrow's disasters and favors efficiency over speed. It's the difference between a chainsaw and a scalpel.
Here's an "old" picture of Bucky and Steve together. If you look closely at Bucky, then at the Winter Soldier in comics and the upcoming movie, you can see why the floppy hair would be driving him nuts. The modern haircut Bucky picked out would probably be along these lines.
[To be continued in Part 20 ...]
Thank you!
Date: 2013-05-31 02:06 am (UTC)Yay! I'm glad that she comes across this way. I try to write Betty as smart and wise and strong.
>> Incidentally, I recently did an NY Times crossword (won't say which for fear of spoiling someone) in which a clue was "Pepper's partner" and my instant response was "Tony"; incorrect for the puzzle, of course, but I was amused by my brain. <<
*laugh* Love it.
>> Will we get to see Pepper at all in these stories? <<
I don't know. She gets mentioned in passing, but so far hasn't shown an inclination to come onstage.
>> Come to think of it, if you feel like adding more female characters, I would ADORE it if Maria Hill came down squarely on their side versus Fury. It would certainly fit my headcanon of her being fiercely protective of S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel. <<
I am leaning in this direction -- especially because she is almost the only person in SHIELD who challenges his stupid-ass decisions. Particularly calling him on the bullshit with Phil's cards.