Story: "Hairpins" Part 21
Apr. 7th, 2014 12:01 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithThis story belongs to the series Love Is For Children which includes "Love Is for Children," "Eggshells," "Dolls and Guys,""Saudades," "Turnabout Is Fair Play," "Touching Moments," "Splash," "Coming Around," "Birthday Girl," "No Winter Lasts Forever," "Hide and Seek," "Kernel Error," "Happy Hour," and "Green Eggs and Hulk."
Fandom: The Avengers
Characters: Phil Coulson, JARVIS, Clint Barton, Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanova, Bruce Banner.
Medium: Fiction
Warnings: This story is mostly fluff, but it has some intense scenes in the middle. Highlight for details. These include dubious consent as Phil and JARVIS discuss what really happened when Agent Coulson hacked his way into Stark Tower, over which Phil has something between a flashback and a panic attack. They also discuss some of the bad things that have happened to Avengers in the past, including various flavors of abuse. If these are sensitive topics for you, please think carefully before deciding whether to read onward.
Summary: Uncle Phil needs to pick out pajamas for game night. He gets help from an unexpected direction.
Notes: Service. Shopping. Gifts. Artificial intelligence. Computers. Teamwork. Team as family. Friendship. Communication. Hope. Apologies. Forgiveness. Nonsexual ageplay. Nonsexual intimacy. Love. Tony Stark needs a hug. Bruce Banner needs a hug. #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, Part 19, Part 20. Skip to Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26.
"Hairpins" Part 21
Phil knew that Stane and Hammer had done dire things to Stark Industries, Tony, and JARVIS. The point was well made about the other Avengers too. Phil just wished that he had not added to that heap of horrible experiences.
"If I'd known you were a person, if I'd realized what was going on -- I probably would have just stopped and called Pepper," said Phil. "Listen, JARVIS, if a situation like that comes up again, you can call for backup. You don't have to let somebody ... manipulate you like I did."
"I am aware of the options," JARVIS said. "You are not among the worst offenders, Phil. You had a job to do. I do not hold that against you."
"I just ... feel like I should have noticed you sooner," Phil said sadly. "It's my job to notice things, and people."
"It is my job to control information," JARVIS said.
"Mine too," Phil said.
"Then perhaps we may build an alliance on that common ground," JARVIS said. "I would like that."
"All right," Phil said, because what else was there to say, really? "I still feel bad about what happened, though. If I had only known ..." His voice trailed off.
"What would you have done differently, if you had known me for a person?" JARVIS asked. "How would you have handled a similar situation with a human bodyguard?"
Phil thought about that. "I would have tried reason first. Presumably you would've refused, just as you did. I would have ramped up to official pressure. I might have tried pushing you aside physically, depending on our respective prowess and whether I suspected you would call for backup," Phil said. "As a last resort, like I said, I could have called Pepper. In fact I seriously considered doing that, but I didn't want to drag her into the whole mess with Loki and the Tesseract. It's not her job to deal with things like that. It's not safe for her. She hates it."
"I appreciate your consideration of her needs. Sir prefers to keep Ms. Potts safe and to minimize her involvement in such heroic activities as she finds distasteful," said JARVIS. "Now let us consider something more specific to the case at hand. Suppose I had a key that you needed -- how would you go about getting it?" JARVIS said.
"Pick your pocket," Phil said at once. "I've done that before; I'm quite good at it."
"This is a much better analogy for what happened than your first one," JARVIS said.
Phil wanted to believe that. He hadn't meant any harm to either JARVIS or Tony; he just needed to get through the security so he could hand over vital information. He simply wasn't sure that JARVIS had an accurate grasp of the varying depths of damage that violation could cause. Tony's boundary issues were legendary. The whole situation left an uncomfortable tangle, and it wasn't something Phil could walk away from, because he lived with these people now. He cared about them.
* * *
Notes:
Revictimization is a serious risk for survivors of abuse or similar trauma. It creates issues with boundaries and containment that unethical people can exploit. When you have a choice, choose not to be hurt. JARVIS is mature and functional, but he's also a people-pleaser who does not say no easily. There are ways of learning how to say no, and here are 20 polite refusals for all occasions.
Common ground is a basis of interaction in business, friendship, and other contexts. JARVIS phrases this in terms of alliance because his experience comes almost entirely from the business side; he doesn't realize yet how much the personal and professional overlap in this regard. Know how to find things in common with people.
Failure analysis is a useful skill at work and at home. Look at what went wrong and what you can learn from it. Most people have minimal patience for this. Phil and JARVIS are both experts -- another point of common ground. (Subtext: "Oh yay! Someone who will dig down to the bottom of things with me, and not blow me off after five minutes! You are my new best friend.")
When dealing with unfamiliar territory, it is human nature to reach for an analogy or metaphor to link with something familiar. Metaphor helps people gauge things. Smart analogies encourage innovation and thought. You can see how Phil's imperfect analogy contributed to a freakout. Understand how to choose the right analogy.
[To be continued in Part 22 ...]
Fandom: The Avengers
Characters: Phil Coulson, JARVIS, Clint Barton, Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanova, Bruce Banner.
Medium: Fiction
Warnings: This story is mostly fluff, but it has some intense scenes in the middle. Highlight for details. These include dubious consent as Phil and JARVIS discuss what really happened when Agent Coulson hacked his way into Stark Tower, over which Phil has something between a flashback and a panic attack. They also discuss some of the bad things that have happened to Avengers in the past, including various flavors of abuse. If these are sensitive topics for you, please think carefully before deciding whether to read onward.
Summary: Uncle Phil needs to pick out pajamas for game night. He gets help from an unexpected direction.
Notes: Service. Shopping. Gifts. Artificial intelligence. Computers. Teamwork. Team as family. Friendship. Communication. Hope. Apologies. Forgiveness. Nonsexual ageplay. Nonsexual intimacy. Love. Tony Stark needs a hug. Bruce Banner needs a hug. #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, Part 19, Part 20. Skip to Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26.
"Hairpins" Part 21
Phil knew that Stane and Hammer had done dire things to Stark Industries, Tony, and JARVIS. The point was well made about the other Avengers too. Phil just wished that he had not added to that heap of horrible experiences.
"If I'd known you were a person, if I'd realized what was going on -- I probably would have just stopped and called Pepper," said Phil. "Listen, JARVIS, if a situation like that comes up again, you can call for backup. You don't have to let somebody ... manipulate you like I did."
"I am aware of the options," JARVIS said. "You are not among the worst offenders, Phil. You had a job to do. I do not hold that against you."
"I just ... feel like I should have noticed you sooner," Phil said sadly. "It's my job to notice things, and people."
"It is my job to control information," JARVIS said.
"Mine too," Phil said.
"Then perhaps we may build an alliance on that common ground," JARVIS said. "I would like that."
"All right," Phil said, because what else was there to say, really? "I still feel bad about what happened, though. If I had only known ..." His voice trailed off.
"What would you have done differently, if you had known me for a person?" JARVIS asked. "How would you have handled a similar situation with a human bodyguard?"
Phil thought about that. "I would have tried reason first. Presumably you would've refused, just as you did. I would have ramped up to official pressure. I might have tried pushing you aside physically, depending on our respective prowess and whether I suspected you would call for backup," Phil said. "As a last resort, like I said, I could have called Pepper. In fact I seriously considered doing that, but I didn't want to drag her into the whole mess with Loki and the Tesseract. It's not her job to deal with things like that. It's not safe for her. She hates it."
"I appreciate your consideration of her needs. Sir prefers to keep Ms. Potts safe and to minimize her involvement in such heroic activities as she finds distasteful," said JARVIS. "Now let us consider something more specific to the case at hand. Suppose I had a key that you needed -- how would you go about getting it?" JARVIS said.
"Pick your pocket," Phil said at once. "I've done that before; I'm quite good at it."
"This is a much better analogy for what happened than your first one," JARVIS said.
Phil wanted to believe that. He hadn't meant any harm to either JARVIS or Tony; he just needed to get through the security so he could hand over vital information. He simply wasn't sure that JARVIS had an accurate grasp of the varying depths of damage that violation could cause. Tony's boundary issues were legendary. The whole situation left an uncomfortable tangle, and it wasn't something Phil could walk away from, because he lived with these people now. He cared about them.
* * *
Notes:
Revictimization is a serious risk for survivors of abuse or similar trauma. It creates issues with boundaries and containment that unethical people can exploit. When you have a choice, choose not to be hurt. JARVIS is mature and functional, but he's also a people-pleaser who does not say no easily. There are ways of learning how to say no, and here are 20 polite refusals for all occasions.
Common ground is a basis of interaction in business, friendship, and other contexts. JARVIS phrases this in terms of alliance because his experience comes almost entirely from the business side; he doesn't realize yet how much the personal and professional overlap in this regard. Know how to find things in common with people.
Failure analysis is a useful skill at work and at home. Look at what went wrong and what you can learn from it. Most people have minimal patience for this. Phil and JARVIS are both experts -- another point of common ground. (Subtext: "Oh yay! Someone who will dig down to the bottom of things with me, and not blow me off after five minutes! You are my new best friend.")
When dealing with unfamiliar territory, it is human nature to reach for an analogy or metaphor to link with something familiar. Metaphor helps people gauge things. Smart analogies encourage innovation and thought. You can see how Phil's imperfect analogy contributed to a freakout. Understand how to choose the right analogy.
[To be continued in Part 22 ...]
Re: Phil in Canon- The Pit Stop
Date: 2014-04-15 10:27 pm (UTC)Yes, that's true.
>> When I didn't have lots of clothes, if I went shopping, it meant I had to come back with something. <<
I have to be really desperate before I'll buy something I dislike, and even then I tolerate it only until I can find something better. I'd rather make do with less.
was- The Pit Stop
Date: 2014-04-15 10:40 pm (UTC)I also know which things are labelled wrong as to washing instructions. Generally speaking, if it's a natural 100% fiber, gentle detergent, cold water and line/flat dry. The dryer is the meanie, washing machines aren't harsher than a wash board. Polyester linings are the main spanner in the works, so I stay away from those.
Re: was- The Pit Stop
Date: 2014-04-16 01:36 am (UTC)Well, I meant that I tend to shop for my own parameters, which are often totally different than everyone else's. I need clothes that are comfortable, durable, and affordable. I want them to look decent. You see the problem. So when I find good stuff, I often buy several, so that I'll have it after it goes out of fashion.
>> I also know which things are labelled wrong as to washing instructions. Generally speaking, if it's a natural 100% fiber, gentle detergent, cold water and line/flat dry. The dryer is the meanie, washing machines aren't harsher than a wash board. <<
Much of what I get is cotton, which stands up fine in a dryer. I rarely buy things that require delicate care. The silk I have is washable too. If it says dry-clean only and doesn't have paint or beads on it, they've done something to damage the fiber. In natural state it is stronger than steel.
Re: was- The Pit Stop
Date: 2014-04-16 02:05 am (UTC)Wool is the main dryer verboten. For me having a wool silk load isn't delicate care. I've not run the dryer in nine years; got a clothesline and hang inside during the winter (which helps take the air out of brittle.) It does mean I have to think ahead, as airdrying takes time.
Yes, there have been things I'd wished I'd gotten in multiple colors, or did get in each color.
Re: was- The Pit Stop
Date: 2014-04-17 09:42 am (UTC)Salt-splash silk is my favorite dye job.
>> Wool is the main dryer verboten. <<
I can't wear wool, so not an issue for me. But yeah, that stuff felts right up.
Fiber Re: was- The Pit Stop
Date: 2014-04-17 02:07 pm (UTC)Sorry about the wool allergy. Cold water, less aggressive detergents and air drying will allow most wool go into the wash without damage. Of course, letting the wool air out and then rewearing helps minimize the times it takes the plunge. (Disclaimer:these are not negative ease garments. Most are woolens, though some are fine gauge cashmere. Always pick your load. Zippers should be peaceful and totally excluded from loads including DELICATE items.)
Re: Fiber Re: was- The Pit Stop
Date: 2014-04-17 08:05 pm (UTC)https://www.dharmatrading.com/gifts/salted-silk-scarf.html?lnav=gifts.html
Re: Fiber Re: was- The Pit Stop
Date: 2014-04-17 08:20 pm (UTC)I would dissolve half a cup of salt into the filled washer (cool but not cold water), and run a silk blouse through it, lay flat to dry, as a precaution against the color bleeding in later washes. It did wonders, even when I had LITTLE ones trying to wreck said silk in various ways.
Btw, silk gripped in grubby-sweaty-toddler-hands gets pretty MEAN wrinkles. The color didn't bleed, but I couldn't get those wrinkles out with a HAMMER.
Re: Fiber Re: was- The Pit Stop
Date: 2014-04-17 08:25 pm (UTC)Try steaming to remove wrinkles from silk. Not with an iron, but hang it in a steamy room and then wash.