Steve vs. Tony (A sort of Civil War post...)

I am... well, 'famous' wouldn't be the right word, would it be.... I am infamous for greatly admiring Captain America. No, I don't have a crush on him; I just... I admire him. If he were real, he would be my Saint; as he is fictional..... He exists in that nice foggy area where dreams and reality mesh.

I admire his character, his honour, his virtue, his pride, his diligence... I admire his virtues, his strengths. I see his flaws - or I see how he deals with his flaws. I see in him a template to shape a life after. I see in him a life to be proud of - a life I want to lead. I admire him, and I copy him because I want to be like him. I want to do what is right. I want to stand against bullies, wherever they are. I want to make the world a better place one thing at a time. I want to live my life in such a way that I bring glory to what I live for. I want to do something with my life so that I as a person disappear; but what I did lives on and grows outside me. I want....

he never sought glory for himself. He doesn't seek honour for himself. His is a face for America - for truth and justice and all the ideals that people forget. He only wanted to fight bullies, to protect what was right. He only wanted to do good.

That is his legacy. That is his life - that is all that matters. That was why the character was created. That is why the character is more real than fiction - he IS a face for ideals that are forgotten. He.... Oh, how can I say this without having seen the films....

My dad always said that the best stories came from things timeless - the classics that stood the test of time were all the same story. Look at the pantheons and legends and you will see he's right. Truth always comes back - it always slips in to shine. The best stories are the ones you can live by - the ones you can memorise and take to heart and in the end... In the end, the best stories are the ones that change YOU for the best.

I love Captain America, but Tony Stark....

I hate Stark because I am him.

We are flawed, broken - we look to the standard and we admire it, but we know we can never attain it. We look to perfection and despair. We look to what he wrought, and we try to do the same in our own humble ways; but it never turns out right - it often becomes worse. We go into things with the best of motives, and only end up digging the hole we are in even deeper.

Look at it - many people have pointed out that Tony was almost the Loki to Steve's Thor. (To use another reference to summarise...) What he does is always an attempt to get out of Steve's shadow - unconsciously though the Captain cast it. First, Tony tries by rebelling, and then he tries by imitating.

Then Steve comes back and once again he is in the shadow....

I despise Tony because in a way he is a reflection of what I AM, while Steve is what I WANT to BE. Why would I want to look at the broken self that I already know from the darkest night, when I can fix my eyes on a higher level that I can strive to reach?

and as there is hope for me, there is hope for Tony. Where we are now is not where we were when we started. He is an admirable character now, and I am unrecognisable from when I first stepped out. We are both struggling with our battles, and we fall and fail - but we always get back up. We don't know how to quit.

That more than anything makes us like the Captain.

Someday, we'll learn what matters. Some day we'll learn to put others before ourselves. someday we'll learn that we don't matter. Someday we'll learn to forgive ourselves and let go of our anger and bitterness. Someday....

Someday we'll learn to say: "No. You move."

Civil War Day Four - An Opposing Character this Time?

....so I realise now that I COULD HAVE DONE TONY'S TAG TODAY!

But no. I didn't really read ahead so... That didn't happen.

But hey! I get to talk about someone else.

*drops head on desk* *sighs*

By the way - this? This is why I dropped out when Bella first held this thing: I have a bad habit of disappearing for long periods of time......

But matters of importance first.

I watched another wonderful film with Vincent Price in it! Oh, the film was wonderful on its own merits and unbelievable and so very fictional and have I ever mentioned that the general...miracles and superatural and just NO.

.....but I'm terrified of monsters in the dark. *groans*

I give up! I give up.

Besides, logically, I can't deny it. I know that. So why do I still bother??

And it was very quotable. And amusing. And sad. And joyful. And....

It's odd to watch these films. Usually when I watch films based on real life I know the story behind it. Or the story is predictable enough that I can guess what would happen. But with Song of Bernadette and Reluctant Saint I....can't. They're utterly new! Completely....unknown! i have no idea what's going on! It's...

It's weird.

The movie was....wonderful. I want to watch it again. But not right now.... Not so soon. Couldn't.

But I have a new movie to find for my collection!!

It's....it's something to aspire to. something possible - something relateable. It's....

I don't know. I don't know.

I loved the film, thank you.

Alright! So. The tag.

...that again, I could have just used Tony for.....

Well, no one ever said I was genius. *shrugs*

And that gif is REALLY annoying me - that is just...how does she do that?? Anyway.

Also. For the person that says these posts are good.

HA. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Irrelevant. Back to the tag. That for whatever reason I can't focus on...

I have the sudden urge to go rambling on about the dress i'm drafting and making SHUT UP AND WRITE THIS BLOODY POST!!

*grins*

Natasha Romanov. The Black Widow. I honestly have no idea if I'm even spelling her name right or ifI'm using too much Russian again....

I can't stand the majority of Tony's team. Sorry.

Let's start with whatever his name is, Black Panther. T'challa. That guy.

Yeah, alright, I fully admit that first his character wasn't fleshed out at ALL in the film which always prejudices me against a character; and I admit that his very blind pursuit of Bucky also...knocks him very far down the totem pole.

(I'm supposed to be defending a character, aren't I? Sorry... I AM GOING TO DEFEND ONE!! I'm just going to try to tear everyone else apart...  *Smiles*)

I look forward to watching his film - I want to see if they can redeem him in my opinion.

But he is a prince, a king in his father's death. Wouldn't he know better than to jump into a vendetta without proof?? As a king especially - I have no idea how Wakanda's government works, but death is serious. I get the impression that he wouldn't just be handing out death sentences willy nilly. So why then with Bucky?

He's emotionally unstable in the death of his father, surely as a ruler he knows politics and how scapegoats are so easily framed?

I just....come on. Revenge? That's it? And then you suddenly change at the end because you learn the truth? Maybe you could have spent some time looking for the truth in the beginning or something and avoided the mess....

Innocent until proven guilty, anyone?

...also, black panther? All I can think of is Asten Roel.

He's a character in Emperor's New Clothes book that is a shapeshifter and lives largely as a black panther and he's really fun and good and smart and I accidentally killed him before I created him.

Downsides of creating the main character first.....

Asten was invented based on this cat we had that was....a shapeshifter, seriously. He was hilarious and so nice and fun and.... anyway, he disappeared so I created Asten.

I need to finish that book....

......I love Vision. I truly do.

GIVE. ME. BACK. JARVIS.

NOW.

Yeah, that's basically my only complaint with him. The fact that he sides with Tony is irrelevant - he is Jarvis. Of COURSE he would.

But can we just....get rid of Friday? Forever? Please?

Jarvis. Back. Now.

.....although. I'll take D'Arcy's Jarvis back. *Grins* Come on!! He was fun!!

Actually, can we have the whole Agent Carter series back?? Marvel ruined Agents of SHIELD - Carter at least hadn't gotten so bad....

(I admit I need to finish that second series though...  *sighs*)

But Jarvis! Not Vision!

We can keep Vision if I get the original Jarvis back.

Me unreasonable? Nooooo.....

Now. Who's next....

...Rhodes.

Oh boy.

Honestly, I don't even really know him.... I thik he has the worst job to deal with Tony, but he does honestly care about Tony. They fight all of the time on eithics and business and government and weapons and fame and...everything else seemingly, but Rhodes....

Rhodes is a good man. Messed up, broken, made some massive mistakes at times....

But a good man. He tried. He has his principles - or as far as I remember he does. I don't think he ever legitimately chooses his job or someone else over Tony - that is the best thing about him. Other than the fact that I think Tony largely just uses him for a long time and Rhodes should have left that friendship....

But Rhodes cares about what happens to Tony - he is a good friend.

AND GOOD GRIEF THEY NEARLY KILLED HIM!!!!!!

.....I actually almost did join Tony's side just because NO. KILLING. RHODES!! I'm not sure why I stayed on Steve's side. Reason? Belief?

Oh, I would have been furious if Rhodes had actually died.

But Rhodes...is a good man. A good friend. he puts up with SO much...

Let's see.....

Yeah.

No.

Never.

Sorry, he has NO redeeming qualities and that's not quite true. These last two versions of him were.....not so cringe worthy but....

*groans* Nope!!

Let's just leave it there. I have no intention of rewatchign any of the films to critique them.

....and this right here is where I lost any and all like I had gained for the character that he had gotten.

JUST....WHY??????????????????????? *chokes* *groans*

...is anyone surprised that I saved her for last?

Nah, she's actually the whole point of this post. The others just....somehow grew longer than I expected.

But Natasha. I was....honestly surprised she went to Tony's team. She of all people would be the last one I would expect to agree to more governmental control.

Red Room.

Hydra.

Ring any bells?

"You lie and kill in the service of liars and killers."

The difference between just about every. single. character. and Tony is that Tony is just about the only one that...doesn't make considered decisions.

T'Challa - a prince. I can promise you that he was taught to weigh his decisions well. He is responsible.

Rhodes - an officer that had to deal with Tony. If anything he learnt to manage decisions to keep working with Tony and avoid getting both of them fired or something.

Vision - he's a computer. He doesn't really have a choice.

Wanda - she's young, but she grew up with only her brother and she at least tries to think ahead to consequences; and she has no problem accepting consequences either.

Clint - he's a father and an agent. *grins* He's snarky and fun sure, but balancing domestic and secret life that well? Not to mention simply keeping his family secret? He understand decisions - has demonstrated it often.

Bucky - took care of Steve, was then a supersoldier assassin for seventy years - he learned decisions somewhere. And he well understands consequences.

(....I've never seen the Ant-man movie so I honestly can't comment on him...)

Wilson - experimental soldier, made decisions in Winter Soldier with full understanding of what the repercussions for him could be.

Steve - he's impulsive yeah, but even when he does just jump into something he is also willing to accept the consequences for his own actions. He minds his own business.

.....annnnd....then there's Tony.

*sighs*

Tony, darling, broken mess of a man, THINK. THINGS. THROUGH.

STOP JUST REACTING!!  *groans*

Everything isn't your fault, you had to know that you couldn't save everyone...

"Something I learned that night, Jason.You can't save them all. Sometimes, you have to pick one. I picked you. Otherwise all three of us would have died that night and you know it...Focus on the ones you can save."

.....also known as the reason #Endless that Tony is the same as Tony but Tony is better than Tony.

Granted. Stark is a technical genius and Dinozzo isn't obviously but.... come on. They have the SAME personality basically. The difference is that Dinozzo grows up. He takes responsibility. Stark? Hasn't yet. Not really.

*Sighs* Oh Tony I know exactly why I hate you so very much....

anyway. Nat.

The amazing thing is that I ever keep track of a point in these things.....

Yeah, yeah - shut up.

But why would she have signed her freedoms away again? Always a slave? Always a pawn? She got away from the Red Room. She got away from Hydra/SHIELD. And now she signs away her freedoms again?

She of all people would understand collateral damage.

Yes, yes - the Avengers DO need some accountability. Everyone does. But not to the government. Not consolidated like that.

She's seen regimes rise and fall - she's HELPED them rise and fall. She would rather not be accountable that publically.

It just....doesn't make sense.

But.....

She's a spy. She plays sides against each other. It's her job. It's her. She can't just...shut that off.

What if she joined Tony so she could help Steve when he needed it? So she could help that team when they needed it? Basically every time she's in a movie she's playing a double agent at some major point. Except this one?

What if her entire role in Civil War IS a double game?

This theory isn't mine - it was somewhere online but now I can't find the original....

And I'm sure there are reasons disproving this but-! It makes so much more sense.

Now I want to rewatch the film to see if it completely fits.

No one expected her to be on Tony's side. it wasn't logical - it wasn't predictable. She is the...changeable one. She's the one that can't be pinned down. she's the spy that's above and beyond everyone - and movies aren't books. We aren't given character's thoughts.

And thus the beauty of headcanons: LITERALLY EVERY GOOD CHARACTER IS ON STEVE'S SIDE THEN!!!!  *Grins*

But now I really do want to rewatch the movie. Seriously - this is such a cool theory I want to see if it fits even more....

*grins* So there's that! Another day done too! Voila!

...I'm leaving now.....

Civil War Remix - Tag! Again. Because I wanted to see if I could... And I feel terrible....

Alright. So I know I chose Steve's side. No, I'm not changing.

However. The party is technically done. So I'm...twisting some things.

That, and I realise that if something just...If Steve and Bucky didn't have that whatever it is that makes them preferable to Tony, I'd be on Tony's side.

And because in all honesty I don't know why I bother choosing 'favourite' characters. I always end up changing my mind and...

Sorry. It's annoying. It annoys me.

By the way. If you want me to change my mind about something - tell me to write a blog post. Apparently that works....

1. What is your favorite Iron Man movie?

Iron Man 3. I've never quite figure out WHAT annoys me about Tony but...it wasn't there.  I enjoyed the part where it was Tony that did the work - not the suit, Tony. And Tony's intelligence was showcasted basically and..  *Grins* I love his genius!!  And he just...makes up these things and takes down the security and...

I loved it.

2. When did you decide you loved Iron Man?

Oh boy.....

Welcome to the mess that is my head.

When did I love Tony? In the first five minutes of the first movie.

He's sarcastic, genius, dark....  The perfect character. Yeah, he was a playboy as he himself says but...I've liked worse characters and...that wasn't it. I've never really been figure out EXACTLY what bothers me about him. Over familiarity? Experience? The realisation that so much of the plot in the first and second films could have probably been solved if he just THOUGHT for a moment. (oh. Look. What does he do in Civil War again....  *sighs*)

But....

Oh, I always liked Iron Man. He just....didn't fit perfect. *grins* He's endlessly fun though and I really wish I could sit through the first two movies more often. I always forget how much utter fun I have when I can ignore the little pointless things.

3. Do you tend to agree with Iron Man's thinking/logic?

Absolutely.

Way too much.

Steve is...good. I'm very much not. I keep repeating the same bloody mistakes - stuck in the same rut. I paint a mask to wear to be perfect. I don't apologise. I give gifts because words are liars. I don't think I can be loved. I ruin the good things. I feel more comfortable with my creations than the real world. I love to destroy things. I love to play the manipulation game. I can both blame everyone and blame myself. I blame myself for too much.

Do I agree with Tony's thinking and logic?

Oh yes.

Maybe that's why...why something bothers me: there's nothing to change.

Of course - I'm not that smart. I'm not a genius. I'm not the centre of all attention. I'm ignorable. I'm hopefully not as abrasive but.....

I could be. I could so easily be.

And most people don't like that. Better to admire Steve than to emphathise with Tony.

4.) What is one thing about Tony that drives you insane?

....ego? Pride? The mask he wears that says he's alright while never letting anyone in? The bandages he applies that hide the wounds that never heal? The way he draws all of the attention to one area in his life to hide the fact that he's miserable at all the rest?

*sighs*

He's over-dramatic. He takes the blame. He depends on himself.

What drives me insane?

Is that I fully understand him. It makes sense.

5.) Do you think you'd like Tony In real life?

Yes! I think it would be an utter disaster - he's too messed up to be a good acquaintance and I'm not well-balanced enough to deal with that.

However.

He loves to talk. I love to learn. I've a feeling we'd get along swimmingly, dangerously. Someone to test my theories - to try my ideas.....

Oh yeah, I think I'd like him.

He'd be a good distraction too. On the days when I didn't want to feel. When I didn't want to be me....

I wouldn't be the smart person.

Oh, he'd be harsh and cruel and as I said I think that would be a bad acquaintanceship but....

And Tony would be a TERRIBLE influence on me.

6.) Do you think you'd get along with Pepper Pots? What about Rhodey?

Rhodey - yes. Pepper.....no. Pepper is....she is that sort of person that...talks another language? Doesn't always hear what's really being said? Oh, she does. She's smart. But...there's something about her....

Rhodey would speak his mind. He's not going to tiptoe around something. He might not always go about it the best way but... I wouldn't be left wondering what's the truth.

7.) Would you like to live in Stark Tower?

If I can have a room/computer to myself? Absolutely. As long as I could be alone. Very alone. Leave me alone...

Not to mention!!  I could learn everything then! People would teach me!!

I mean, I try not to take advantage but... Sometimes it's allowed.

8.) Would you want to try out/own any of Iron Man's robots or fancy little gadgets?

....not really. I mean, they're interesting but.... I want to learn how to MAKE them!!

9.) What is your favorite Iron Man quote?

And those quotes sum up Tony. The child-like wonder and curiosity that never really died, the mask that can't be broken - that can take any abuse and keep going; and the determination that....feeds him. The drive for perfection that he knows he can never truly reach - he'll always be...second-best. 'Avenging' rather than 'defending'.

10.) If Tony as he is now volunteered to take you to dinner and a movie, would you accept his invitation? Not a date, just a night out cause he knows you are soooooo stressed.

Absolutely.

And I'm bringing my letter-opener and if he tries anything I'm stabbing him with it.

Oddly enough, I'd trust him.

Mostly because if it had gotten to the point where he'd ask me and I'd accept, I'd have learnt how to avoid it. Or he had learnt timing but....

No. I'd love to go out.

And try to stab him if he tried anything. (Like I said - he'd be a bad influence on me....)

It's too easy to sympathise and understand Tony. It's too easy to know him.

He's too familiar. WAY too familiar....

By the way: do you know what my favourite Tony Stark scene is? The ending fight scene of Civil War. Really. IT WAS JUST SO AMAZING AND INTERESTING AND SAD AND DESPERATE AND PERSONAL AND-!!!!!

Civil War Day Three: Pick a Supporting Character

....Okay.

So it's sort of funny because I sat here for about five minutes trying to decide who to do it on because other than Steve the rest of the characters sort of...fade.

And then I realised that there was Bucky.

So I'm going to do Bucky! And probably Clint too!

Anyone surprised???

On a side note - sort of - I REALLY need to rewatch this film.

The thing is that I'm probably not being fair. Given I've only seen it once, I'm going on first impressions and prejudices and....  Well, I'll still want to hit Tony over the head repeatedly but...  I would at least be able to make a case for him.

(I can make a case for him now but...)

And on that note - why was this necessary? For what reason did we have to do this? Why not make THIS the Avengers movie and give Steve a movie ALL. BY. HIM. SELF? And Bucky. Hmm? Instead, Steve has less screen time and less....point; and I have to put up with Tony.

And they had done so well with him in the third film!!  I LIKED him! *sighs*

Why??

Alright.....

yeah. No idea. Most of these are just rants that get out of control.

Yes, yes...  i'm aware this is all sort of cliched....

BE QUIET I'M RANTING AND HAVING FUN AND THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD FOR ME (the second part of that at least...) SO THERE I'M HAVING FUN!

*sighs*

I'm trying to shut the voices up....

Pray, right? Pray...

(Yes. These posts tend to devolve into streams of consciousness....  In my defense once I start thinking and planning them they turn into the Vampire set and stretch on forever...)

Anyway! Point. Bucky.

Honestly, I've got a feeling I liked him first because of MY writing. His (Stan's) likeness has turned up a few times in stories so far, and I think that might have turned my head first. Then I got to rewatch The First Avenger and I liked the interaction between Bucky and Steve. Older and Younger brothers. Family. Almost. Enough.

Where Steve is good and pure and all sorts of heroic, Bucky....isn't. He's a ladies man, about to go off to war, doesn't really want to go, doesn't want to put himself back into danger when he's rescued, and then he falls.

He is...really, he's a background character. He's barely there. He rescues Steve in the alley, says goodbye to him at the science fair, is rescued from Hydra, is in the bar with Steve, and goes on the train mission. That's...about it.

So tell me about this man. Tell me about this boy that helped raise and protect Steve Rogers. Tell me about this boy that wants attention, but gets over himself when the one he gives his attention to doesn't need it anymore. Tell me about this man that does what is right. Tell me about this man that had to be the anchor for Steve - had to remind him that he was human and breakable and....

Tell me about Bucky. Tell me about the brother that left, the friend that came back, the soldier who fell, and the monster that returned. Tell me about his life. Tell me what we didn't see. Tell me what went on inside his head. Tell me about the ups and downs, the women he's met, the assassins he's trained and covered. Tell me about the quirks that never were fully erased from the Asset. Tell me about the other times his programming failed while he was in the field. Tell me how they programmed him. Tell me what he thought about before Bucky died - before the Soldier came into being.

Don't tell me about the comics. Don't tell me about right and wrong. Don't tell me about Steve. Don't tell me about Tony.

Tell me about Bucky. Tell me his story.

He intrigues me.

So Tony? Step back. I don't care about the accords. I want the team together. I want Steve and Bucky together. I want to watch the leader and the sniper again. I want them to plan missions and snark at each other and make fun of each other and make fun of Tony and....

I like stories. Full, complex stories. I want to see all of the pictures.

Part of the reason Person of Interest was stunningly brilliant: because it played like an incredibly long movie, and we got to know all of the players. And when they drag ALL of the rest of the characters in there with the two I'm interested in???

Good grief. Go make a Hawkeye and Black Widow movie. Together. Separate.

No one would really care, I promise.  Just...go. Leave my Cap movies alone. They're the only ones I really like and trust me I'm NOT watching them for Tony or the Widow or Clint. (...maybe for Clint but.....)

So tell me about Bucky.

Or I'm going to go write his story. And that's probably not good for him. (although...then I could get rid of the girls.....)

Oh, Darling....

Steve and Bucky might be my favourite characters that come first to mind but.... I didn't ever want to watch the superhero films. I watched them for Hawkeye.

.....archery, snark, and no superpowers???  How amazing is that?? I LOVED him in Thor (he was hilarious!!  Yes, I watched that movie for him and Coulson - so shoot me....) and....he was underwhelming in Avengers. I prefer him in the comics.

Funnily enough, he and Deadpool are the only Marvel characters I've read comics for. I preferred Hawkeye's, but his depend a lot on which comic...  Not thtat I've read a lot either - only enough to at least be aware of his character. (Deadpool I read because he and Hawkeye together were.....something else...)

I love sarcastic characters, I really do. I love archery. I love normal people that don't have the advantage.

AND!!!  I love characters that have no subtext!!!

*grins* That he has a FAMILY???????

I don't CARE if it's not comical, that is...  C'est parfait. J'aimer.

And he doesn't have superpowers. NO superpowers. He trained. He practiced. He's a perfectly normal human. Even Nat technically is a supersoldier.... Or was.

You know what else I love? Snipers.

(I honestly didn't plan this, by the way..... I'd forgotten about this.)

I'm not sure why. Maybe because they're support? Background characters? Doing something that is....not entirely honourable, arguably? Killing anyone? I always liked them.

THAT TWO OF MY FAVOURITE SARCASTIC CHARACTERS ARE SNIPERS IS BEYOND PRICELESS!!

Good grief - can we just have a movie with these two? Please? Drop Tony and Steve off somewhere to argue, and let these two hang out. Clint was mind controlled, he'd understand that. They're both really, really sarcastic and impulsive.

Come on - it would be so much fun!!

*sighs* Can we have a good superhero movie??

Not to mention.

Imagine. the. pranks.

Actually, can we just have more of Clint??  I'd rewatch Civil War and just watch Clint at which point it would probably be all of five minutes long.....

And they'd get their two best friends involved and....  *grins* That is a movie I'd pay money to go see and I wouldn't even complain.

Also.

Can we just fix this??   Please?

And yes. I'm bending the rules. Technically the party is long since over so.... And he WOULD be on the Captain's team.

.....try plausibly convincing me otherwise.

But I want snarky, eternally competent, so underrated, so ignorable Coulson back!!! *sighs*

No. He's getting ruined by Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D..... Figures.

Every now and then he'll have a good episode! But... On the whole...

it's just adorable....

I like Steve. I like Bucky. I like Clint. I like Nat. I like Sam. I like Tony. I like Pepper. I like Rhodey. I like Jarvis.

I like an awful lot of characters. For every 'best' character I find I can probably find at least two people better.

So if I could only choose ONE person? One character to admire and know?

Paul of Tarus.

Because while Jesus is good he is....God. He's perfect and....I could never relate to that. He's...above - exalted.

Paul was human and flawed and.... I'd rather read his stories and letters than any other character.

(....now i feel terrible because I honestly would prefer him over Jesus just on that level of....practibility. As a person. Because jesus is...distant.)

*groans and drops head on desk*

Civil War Day Two - The Tag!

1.) What is your favorite Captain America movie?

The First Avenger

First? VINTAGE!! Oh, darling, the whole thing is set in the FORTIES! In World War II! In good costuming! In gorgeous sets! In Brooklyn! In Europe! In....the Forties!!

Also: NO. ROMANCE. 

Well, there is, obviously, but...  It took me about four watches to even notice it so...that's a win. (Notice all the romance BESIDES the kiss. The kiss was rather obvious....)

And it's hilarious.

It's so sad though! Dr. Erskine, and Bucky, and Bucky, and Peggy, and the Commandos, and BUCKY and.....  

Alright. In more seriousness....

I liked the first film because of the setting primarily, and the time period. I liked it because of the nostalgia, the decade they portrayed. I like it because of the characters - because of the...well, cliches they undid. I LOVED Howard. Which was utterly surprising given how much I detest his son... But if Team Stark had been led by Howard? Yeah... THEN I'd actually be in trouble deciding between the two.

Tony is self-centered.

Howard is...not. And something...DRASTICALLY changed between the Iron Man films and Steve, and Agent Carter. Maybe different perspective? maybe because the one is from the viewpoint of his hurting son, and the other is from....equals? Oh, he still has much of the same flaws - the same...weaknesses. But there is strength in him. He's selfless when it's necessary. He loves. He's human. He's...good.

.....still can't stand Tony.

(And although that above irony is pointed out, Red Skull ALSO attacked him with a knife. So even just in the same FILM....)

But The First Avenger...  It showed people. WWII. Friends. Family. Those who cared so much and those who didn't care at all. It showed the little people and the big ones. The idiots and the giants. Those that were empty and those that were full - those that were important and those that seemed important.

I will say one other thing: I never figured out Zola. He wasn't really...convinced in the first film. He always seemed...nervous? Coerced? And then we find out that he saved Hydra??  I'm sorry....  It just...doesn't fit. Not with his actions in the first film.

.....the first film wasn't a superhero film. It was a story about people. That's why I liked it.  

2.) When did you decide you loved Captain America?

 That boy that would. not. stay. down.

That tiny kid that challenged a much bigger man just because of honour. That's when I loved the character. That's when I loved Steve. When Captain America ran away to find the 107th. When he came back to face punishment. That's when I loved the Captain.

I watched The Avengers first in the MCU after Iron Man I (which I didn't connect and only saw because Da liked it...). Hawkeye was actually the reason I watched it. And then Coulson the reason I watched any of the rest of the movies.

I could NOT stand Captain America. He was self-righteous and stiff and too goody-goody and self-important and hypocritical and...  No. I couldn't stand it. He argued and fought and he JUST got there who put him in charge?

He rubbed me so wrong I almost didn't watch First Avenger. Buuuut.....the allure of the 1940s drew me and I watched it because it couldn't be THAT bad.

And there was ONE scene in The Avengers that...surprised me. And for all that I couldn't stand Steve? He was my favourite character in the movie BECAUSE of that one scene.

So...basically a Christian? In a modern movie? (yes, I'm shocked by that...) So blatantly stated? I was willing to put up with his annoyancies for Vintage and morals and....

.....needless to say I was utterly surprised.

The Captain in The Avengers and the Captain in The First Avenger were...almost completely different. The one in the Twentieth century was compassionate, well-rounded, kind, intelligent...  He knew when to follow orders and he followed well - but he didn't compromise. His principles came first. The Twenty-first Century version was....flat. Mostly. I mean, he was....he was a soldier. Followed orders. Was stuck inside his own head.

The film seemed to take Tony's side more and....yeah, my opinion of him has been stated...

So I liked Steve Rogers when I saw the good man. Not just the soldier - the man.

3.) Do you tend to agree with Steve's thinking/logic?

Yep. Yep, yep, yep, yep, and yes.

He's polite, loyal, kind, firm, knows what he believes, stands up for himself, protects others....  He thinks things through - doesn't just go along because that's what the majority or his authority says. He is his own person and he takes responsibility for that. Mostly.

That being said, while I agree with his thinking, his morals, his convictions....  He and I would probably go about them very differently. I'm more like Natasha in 'avoid direct confrontation unless you KNOW you can win' and he's....not. But if it came down between losing while standing up for my principles and abandoning my principles? I think and hope that I'd choose losing.

Other examples of his thinking are shown in his loyalty to his friends and his ability to lead - to both protect those around him while putting the mission first. He is able to separate himself from his emotions when he has to. WHEN he has to.... Likewise.

Not to mention! His logic and thinking is from an older time. A time I very much...try to emulate.

With mixed results, of course...

But! The familial bonds, the knowledge, the appreciation, the honour, the respect, the elegance...

Or at least what we picture as what was there - the postcard life....

4.) What is one thing about Steve that drives you insane?

......Sharon Carter or Peggy.

*grins*

But that's personal preference and an abiding desire for friendship to grow first.

But especially Sharon.

On to a more serious addressal!!

What is something that drives me insane.... Hmm....

Honestly: his straighforward approach. Oh, it's refreshing and honest, certainly. However.....

GOOD BLESSED LORD HELP THAT MAN TO LEARN WHEN TO STAY. DOWN.

*sighs*

(As long as Sharon counts - WHAT WERE YOU THINKING MARVEL??  HYDRA? REALLY??)

But Steve always goes at things straight on. You know what he's thinking. You know what he believes. You know what he will do. And he does it. He's predictable. Oh, not down to ever little bit....

But there was a reason Fury didn't tell him about the surveillance or the Phase 2 or the helicarriers and it wasn't because they were strange to a man from the Forties.

Steve isn't unintelligent. FAR from it. He's got a photographic memory at least, and he caught onto military tactics very quickly. (DISCLAIMER: Never had the opportunity to read the comics so..... Fanfiction, wiki articles, and MCU are my sources.... Mostly the latter.) It took him about forty-five seconds or less to figure out something was wrong where he was being held, and he assimilated the Times Square. (Why were they holding him in the middle of New York??)

So while a lot of fanfiction shows Steve as being clueless when it comes to modern technology... I don't think that's entirely accurate. Obviously, he'd be thrown off a bit - who wouldn't be! - but he'd adapt and catch up. At the least because he has to.

So the helicarriers and Phase 2 weren't kept from him because he was ignorant but because he wouldn't agree with them.

And, miraculously, he's been able to get back up every time he runs headlong at a problem.

....but he almost didn't get back up after Tony in the end of Civil War.

Actually. No.

You know what? I LIKE that about Steve. I like his determination. His...sheer stubborness. Does it get him in trouble.

Of course! Does he learn? No! Because. he's doing. the right. thing. He's not compromising. So no - that's probably my FAVOURITE part.

You know what I hate about Steve?

That for whatever reason they've HAD to have a kiss in each of his movies. Peggy? Fine. Alright.

Nat? Ooookay.....  It was all for show. Or at least it ended up being so....

Sharon?? I don't think so!!

You see - I know her as Agent 13.

I know her of the girl that saved the bravest person in the MCU.

And they ruined her. In all honesty, they ruined her....

So what I hate about Steve - what drives me insane - is that the writers for whatever reason feel the need to pair him with ANYONE. And then they keep pulling in good characters to fill that 'hole' and ruining them and just....STOP. It's NOT necessary. Trust me. For goodness sakes, please....

Just... Leave him alone. Leave him as the innocent boy that won't talk to women let alone randomly kiss him.

Come on.

Small mercies at least? FADE TO BLACK AND LEAVE IT TO FANFICTION WRITER'S EXPLICIT IMAGINATIONS TRUST ME THEY HAVE THEM YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THE WORK FOR THEM!!!

5.) What is your favorite Steve scene?

When he gets the flag, or when he and Bucky beat up Tony. I mean, I know, they're losing in the film but.... THEY TEAM UP SO WELL I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT!!!

I loved that flag scene.

and you know, that sort of just ruins the one thing that bothers me about Steve that isn't romance. Because when he WANTS to, he won't go at things straight. He can be and has been as devious as any of the other spies. He just....chooses not to.

That's another thing about him: he CHOOSES to do things. It's not because he has to. It's not because he's inclined to do that. He could easily do something else.

He chooses to.

6.) What is something about Steve that you really admire?

His honesty, integrity, and honour. His manners. His safety.

First? I could spend time with him safely. I wouldn't have to worry about ulterior motives. I wouldn't have to worry that I'm being taken the wrong way, it's just friendship. I would be safe.

I would also be safe from anyone else. Because I'm sorry, the new canon of Steve (AKA comics.....) might stand back when someone is attacked but...  Nope. This Steve...I can't see him doing that. I would be safe from others - someone to back me up that wouldn't be coerced or shamed or ignored into backing down. I would be safe. Others would be safe. He's not going to take advantage of you. He is...good.

He is honourable. his yes is yes and his no is no and.... He understands unavoidable situations, but he gives all he can to accomplish something. He does his best.

And he doesn't compromise!!  He's stubborn and he tries not to falter. He keeps going. He gets up and he keeps going....

He's human.

Above all else, he's human.

He hurts, and mourns, and gets frustrated, and teases, and is amused, and angry, and tired, and excited, and....

He's human. He's realistic. Yeah, he's a superhero but....he's not...impossible. He's not so far out of reach one can never aspire to him.

7.) Do you think you would like Steve in real life?

Weeelllll.....

I've got a feeling that he would fall into the category of 'annoyingly optimistic'.

Oh, I would LOVE to talk about history. About his life. About his principles and beliefs. I would love to spend time with him, We have an awful lot in common and it would be incredible fun.

However.... He is incredibly perceptive. And....any interaction would probably end up going down a road where someone gives advice and I can't bring myself to follow it. Any interaction would end up trying to drag the other down.

So, I would like him - but he wouldn't like me so...  Moot question.

8.) What do you think of Steve's motorcycle, and would you want a ride on it?

...motorcycles scare me. I would ride with him on it once just to say that I did but.....

No.

Those things are dangerous and can so easily go wrong.

9.) What was an iconic "STEVE FREAKIN' ROGERS" moment for you?

...I have NO idea.

First? That question makes no sense!!!!!!!!!!

I just.... Can't figure it out. Sooo...

I don't really know - I can't decide. I love the 'Captain's Orders' scene and the speech before it. I love  his reaction to Project Insight. I love his return with the 107th. I just....  It's Steve.

10.) If Steve asked you on a date, would you accept?

....I hate you.

Alright. If Steve asked me out on a date I would be inclined to accept regardless of whether I knew him as I do now, or if he was just a stranger I met.

Why? Well, if I know him as I do now, then I have the history with him. I know his character - would trust him. He wouldn't hurt me. And if he was a stranger, he's not really the type of person to 'date'. He would 'court'. He would get to know the girl first - be a friend before he did anything else. So then I'd grow to trust him.

But.......

....as much as a man like Steve would be a treasure and something I could accept? I would be much more likely to turn him - or any - man down because I don't want to burden them. I am a mess and I don't want to elevate them unecessarily, and I don't want to burden them. Me starting a family would just be.... No, a terrible idea.

So if STEVE asked me for a date I'd say yes. If Steve asked ME for a date I'd say no.

I still hate you.