AUs are, to me an opportunity (or a challenge) to think outside the box. If you change A or B how do these characters develop, work etc? What if, Clint or Nat had happy childhoods (yeah, I can imagine that, too). What if they had ordinary jobs? What if they lived in different time and age? And especially how do you still make them the characters they are or supposed to be, while playing with the changes you just implemented.

I love AUs. They give freedom, they offer more room for creativity. I have few in the works, and I think I've written/published one AU 'verse which was fun to work with. I'd agree with frea_o the whole point are characters. Both Nat and clint are competent in whatever you choose them to be doing. Clint I see as steady, loyal, level headed, not impulsive (I just ... don't get characterizations in which Clint can't control himself, or his anger). He has good self control (sniper, possibly military background? He needs to be able to control himself remarkably well), he does good calculations (strategy, planning, or simply thinking about outcomes of ... whatever he's doing). He's an intelligent guy who likes to keep himself in the back (unlike Tony who needs to shine). (Like... I have an AU where Tony is setting up a music band? And Coulson is the one who discovers Clint. He's heard him sing and play guitar but what the whole bunch doesn't know is how many instruments Clint can play, or how well he's able to notice something isn't working and how to fix it. Parallel that with Tony and Clint in the fight scene where Clint tells Tony how to go about Chitauri.)

Natasha - one of the things I find pivotal is that she is someone who fought to have her life (back) in her hands. Maybe she lived in an abusive relationship, got herself out and reclaimed her life. That takes amazing courage, willpower and strength. Maybe she's an actress who lived under control of a manager and then found the way to get her career in her own hands when she got older I did write (http://archiveofourown.org/works/694195) that particular AU (http://archiveofourown.org/works/711736). Nat knows how to fight for her own interests. She's practical, she can compartmentalize, she is selectively loyal, she can control her emotions - but that doesn't mean she's unemotional (seriously, have you seen the array of emotions she displays in both IM2 and Avengers? I ... have no idea why lot of authors write her as a cold or unkind person.) As for Clint/Nat relationship, I usually base it on friendship and mutual trust, on co-dependency that doesn't reduce either of them, and them mutually knowing who the other is/what they need. (In the movie, we see Nat knowing what he needs from her after he wakes up). They're quietly affectionate with each other, but first and foremost they're friends and people who like being in each others company. It's interesting exploring how they got there. If both are violent characters, one of my headcanon things is that Clint isn't afraid of her. In any story, they're equals.

Some of my AUs? They're both actors in one, in another she's a pro dancer and he is a celebrity sports star (as much as one can be as a pro archer - so yeah a background sort of sports celebrity, haha) and they're on Strictly come dancing and yes I need to write that. *headdesk* In another AU, most of Avengers are police detectives (Tony and Clint are partners - and it's a scary competent duo. i find two of them work amazingly well together - both are smart, both are snarky, bad guys don't stand a chance). In that particular AU Clint is a single parent and Natasha is his daughter's dance teacher. I love that AU. I should sit and properly write that AU.



Edited 2013-05-04 05:47 am (UTC)

I literally have no idea why I didn't say this before but DANCING AU OH MY GOD I AM STILL VERY EXCITED FOR THAT.

You have no idea how much I have built on that AU in my head. I have about 1000 ideas for them in that 'verse and I love it. (and, of course, am happing to brainstorm about it if you want JUST PUTTING THAT OUT THERE. :P)

Alsoalsoaslo that Tony and Clint detectives AU sounds fabulous. :D

EEEEEEEEE! I have few more things to fo today but i am free in a few hours if you wanna brainstorm/flail/tell me 'bout your ideas? *ggg*

You have no idea what you are asking. Seriously, SO MANY IDEAS. But yes, that would be awesome. Though maybe not here..? How about, when you're free, comment on one of my journal posts? That work?

I was planning to make my own! That okay? (also everyone is welcome!)

This is an equally excellent idea. Maybe even more so than mine. :P

Soooooo, any minute now? :D

Just to say: I love how you run with all the what if scenarios :D