FIC: So, The Helicarrier Needs Curtains

[lettered]

Title: So, The Helicarrier Needs Curtains
Characters/pairings: Bruce, Natasha, Tony, Steve, Clint; mainly Bruce/Natasha, with some Bruce/Tony, maybe Natasha/Clint if you want, brief mention of Clint/Coulson, family dynamics
Rating: G? PG?
Length:3,500
Disclaimer: Not mine
Summary: This isn’t actually about curtains. It’s about friends, taking care

Comments

[laurie_ky]

I love how you wrote all these interactions, the bantering that suddenly takes a left turn into unexpected places, the non-verbal communication of touch between Clint and Natasha, how Bruce was mostly just listening and not really involved in talking at first during the pizza fest, but provided a distraction so Clint could get his shit back together after Tony made that comment. That was kind of him.

Steve likes to think out loud, following his own path to a conclusion, and his thought process was funny. Tony knows his teammates, but he doesn't stop to think about what he's saying, especially if his mind is on a technological problem. It's in his nature to poke. I enjoyed Bruce and Tony working science together.

Bruce was tired when all of this started, and I could picture his sleepy face and probably wild looking hair, because, five am and he wouldn't care or take the time to brush it smooth; I loved the part where he doesn't mind losing consciousness before he hulks out, because that's as close to killing himself as he can get, and on some deep level he still wants that. But he knows if he tells them that, he'll have all his teammates trying to make him not feel that way, although, of course, they can't stop him from feeling what he feels. He doesn't want them to try, though, doesn't want them to think of him as being that dark still. And I think that's helping him, actually. Not wanting them to worry about his mental state.

It felt right that Natasha came back to check on Bruce and asked him to trust her, ( that whole pretend conversation) and maybe because he's exhausted he does let his guard down and takes a chance. They've been dancing around each other for a while and I think it would have to be Natasha to make the first move, I don't think Bruce ever would.

This was an insightful story, funny, but poignant, seeing them with their vulnerabilities so exposed(well, except maybe for Steve).

Laurie

[lettered]

Thanks so, so much for this comment. I wrote this pretty fast as a reaction to jbadgr's drawing, but I was really happy when I was done because I tried to show all the things you mentioned in your comment, and thought I was at least moderately successful. I'm really glad you think so too.

Bruce was mostly just listening

It was a little strange to write a piece that was supposed to center on Bruce and Natasha and yet involved the rest of the group, because I think they would talk the least (Tony and Clint try to steal any show).

probably wild looking hair

He does good hair.

And I think that's helping him, actually.

Aw. What an interesting insight. Repression can be really unhealthy, but I have found in my own life that trying not to worry others can help put things in perspective and help me realize that things aren't as bad as they may seem.

Thanks so much for your lovely fb. I'm glad you liked this story :o)