Yes, weird subject line I know. I was reading this book the other day (It's book 2 of the Jane True novels - if this sounds interesting, I really recommend you start with Tempest Rising, book 1) and I came across a great analysis of why some revered modern fictional relationships actually suck, and why they should really be condemned instead. And it struck me that the following analysis was pretty much the antithesis of BlackHawk, and that was one of the fundamental reasons I love it so much.

From 'Tracking the Tempest', Nicole Peeler. (page 314)
[...] signifies editing to get to the pertinent parts faster

(also, just a warning: the heroine is more than a little drunk at this point)

At Iris' question, I stopped and really tried to break down what it was about Ryu's demands that had bothered me so much. Obviously there was the drama-queen aspect of landing that ultimatum on me, especially after everything we'd just been through. Everything I had been through. You didn't demand someone make major life changes when they'd been beaten to a pulp the night before. And why did I have to move? That would be one stonkingly big compromise on my part.
But is compromise such a bad thing? the maraschino cherry in my drink inquired philosophically. It's the first thing you're taught in kindergarten, after all. How to share each other's toys. I groaned softly, rubbing my palm into my eyes. Then I ate the damn cherry.
"The thing is, Iris, I've never liked the idea of compromise. In films and in stories, people who love each other - really love each other - make horrendous sacrifices. They give kidneys, they move across the world, they die. Or become the undead, because you know I like that sort of book. Basically, the heroine's lover calls, and she answers. Which is stupid. You know why?"
Iris shook her head.
"Because he's always fucking calling."
[...] "So I've never liked that idea, Iris. You know why?" Iris again shook her head. "Because I think that sometimes, when you really love somebody, you don't ask them for the kind of compromise that is actually a sacrifice. The kind where one person gives up everything they have, everything they are, just so they can be with the other person. And you certainly don't expect that shit. You don't expect someone to prove their love. To love you that little bit more than you love them."
[...] "What Ryu wants from me," I warned, waggling my finger emphatically in the air, "I can't give him. Not now, and maybe not ever. [...] But I couldn't give him my whole life. And that's what he wanted from me. He wanted everything, and I wanted him to love me for what I had already offered."

The point of all this? Clint and Natasha aren't like that. They may ask, may even expect the other to give everything, but it's as partners in the field, to get the mission accomplished, and they would ask the same of anyone else on their level (it's a matter of business, you might say).

On a personal level, they don't ask for anything from the other that they aren't ready and able to offer themselves. They will readily make these kinds of sacrifices - these kinds of compromises - for each other. But it's at least partly because they will never ask it of each other. They love each other solely for what has already been given.

And that's why I adore BlackHawk.

Clint and Natasha may be compromised as individuals, but never as partners. Whether platonic or romantic, theirs is a love without compromise.

Thoughts? Arguments? Vodka shots?

So, I've been living under a rock these past few weeks and missed seeing this live, but by golly, I did manage to find the clip:

SCARLETT JOHANSSON READS THE WEATHER ON THE 'TODAY' SHOW.

(i am made of fail and cannot get the embed to work. boo.)

Happy Tuesday, y'all. Hope everyone in this bar is safe and well during this busy time of year. <3

You guys have already seen a snippet of this at Unfinished Wednesday, and all of your comments (both there and in the kid!fic discussion post) were awesome for the motivation. ♥

So, here is the first chapter of my de-aged!Natasha fic - hope you enjoy!

TITLE: I've learned how to paint my face
FANDOM: MCU/The Avengers
RATING: Teen (for now)
WORDS: 4664
CHARACTERS: Natasha Romanov, Clint Barton, Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, Steve Rogers, Maria Hill, Nick Fury, Original Characters
PAIRING: background Clint/Natasha
WARNINGS: general warning for off-screen and referenced/discussed child abuse; chapter-specific warning is for a child in violent situations
A/N: Written for this prompt @ avengerkink. Many thanks dictator_duck for reading over as I wrote, cheerleading, and letting me steal her brain; further thanks to lordoflorien for a) also letting me steal her brain and b) beta-ing in the face of great technological adversity. ♥ Title comes from Dessa's Children's Work:
Now I've learned how to paint my face,
How to earn my keep, how to clean my kill
SUMMARY: A mysterious explosion leaves a number of SHIELD personnel, including Agent Romanoff, both injured and children again. Suddenly, the team has to deal with a highly trained and messed-up twelve-year-old Natalia Romanova while trying to find a solution.

All Natasha wants is to go home.

I've learned how to paint my face @ AO3