ink-splotch:

Things I loved about AoU’s Steve Rogers:

1. His defense of the twins. 

I sat up straight in my seat. It was at once so entirely Steve, and also so important for validating the twins’ growth, choices and journey (which was the thing I went into the movie expecting to hate, and actually really enjoyed). 

But this is so Steve, who hates bullies no matter where they come from, to be able to look at these enemies, these scrappy violent kids, and try to understand what they’re fighting for. When he respects people, it has nothing to do with how reputable they are, the stories told about them, their age, propriety, their allegiance. Are they fighting for people? Are they hurting people, and do they have a reason? 

Maria Hill makes some snide comments about the twins volunteering. “Gee,” says Steve, in one of his few properly dry, cutting wit moments. “What kind of kid lets a German scientist experiment on them? In order to help defend their country? Gee, just what kind of idiot?“ 

“You were at war,” Hill protests. 

“So are they.”

(And I swooned).

2. Natasha and Steve being the two to lead and train the team (WHICH–BY THE WAY–WHAT A BEAUTIFUL LINE UP) at the end of the film. Natasha and Steve is one of the friendships I am most invested in. (Clint/Nat is another. Bruce/Nat another. Hm. Let me rephrase: I am invested in Natasha having friendships.)

But also! What a good pair for guiding a crew of new Avengers. They have different but powerful types of empathy and social comprehension. They fight differently, but both (at least originally) are used to fighting at a disadvantage– this is not Thor trying to teach a mortal to ‘just hit things really hard, it’ll be fine.’

And, most importantly: they have a strong mutual respect and camaraderie.
I want a miniseries of just Steve and Nat teaching the new Avengers crew. 

Sam fan-boying over Rhodey, and Falcon and War Machine having flying competitions. Vision slowly falling for Wanda’s decisive heroism. Wanda mourning, and growing, and finding a new family in these brave, eclectic souls. 

Everyone calling Steve ‘grandpa.’

Natasha popping out of weird corners of the base to startle them, at any time of night, because they need to learn to be aware. “Constant vigilance!” (She discovered Harry Potter at a late age, but it stuck). (The first time she does it to Wanda, they destroy a corridor. “Oh, well, it’s Stark’s dime. Good roundhouse kick, by the way.”) 

3. When did Thor and Steve go out into a secluded part of the New Mexican desert to see what happens when they hit their Immovable Object v. Unstoppable Force magic items together? Because I’m A+ completely on board with this. (I also need a MCU short film, please please please.)