>> Agreed. Tony had too few people who could tell him 'no' and make it stick. That's a horrible handicap.
And one (Stane) actively encouraging him in anything that could be used as a bit and bridle. <<
Painfully true. Stane's abuse was awful, and Tony is still trying to pull himself back together.
This is why Tony needs to misbehave with Phil sometimes, or pull against his grip. Tony needs to feel that Phil will stop him without hurting him. He wants to learn what healthy boundaries feel like.
>> I think Tony gets confused when Pepper (who has seen him for years) expects him to do something other than what he does under given stimulus. <<
That makes sense. Despite his reputation for chaos, Tony is actually quite predictable in a lot of ways. Shiny thing? Tony will reach for it. Pussy? Tony will reach for it. Meeting? Tony will try to avoid it.
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dancing_serpent
Re: Yes...
Date: 2013-12-24 06:49 am (UTC)And one (Stane) actively encouraging him in anything that could be used as a bit and bridle. <<
Painfully true. Stane's abuse was awful, and Tony is still trying to pull himself back together.
This is why Tony needs to misbehave with Phil sometimes, or pull against his grip. Tony needs to feel that Phil will stop him without hurting him. He wants to learn what healthy boundaries feel like.
>> I think Tony gets confused when Pepper (who has seen him for years) expects him to do something other than what he does under given stimulus. <<
That makes sense. Despite his reputation for chaos, Tony is actually quite predictable in a lot of ways. Shiny thing? Tony will reach for it. Pussy? Tony will reach for it. Meeting? Tony will try to avoid it.