Time for me to go off on a long monologue about why Age of Ultron is important to Romanogers and their individual character development. 99% of all marvel fans can agree that bringing in Hulktasha was a disaster of epic proportions, and while I would absolutely say that it was an objectively bad choice in writing and should never have been in put in to begin with, since it IS in mcu canon letâs take a look at how it furthers the good ship romanogers.
First, letâs remember that this is coming on the heels of the fall of SHIELD. Natasha, perhaps more severely than anyone else, had her world turned upside down by its destruction. She was a girl who was told all her life she would never belong, but then she found a home and a family in SHIELD, and more than that she found people like Fury who believed in her and Clint who knew she could be a better version of herself. So when her home shattered to reveal a foundation of Hydra lies, that devastated her. When Winter Soldier ends, she leaves Steve with the intention to go rediscover and remake herself. Sheâs still got a family in her friends that she loves, but sheâs adrift once more - a soldier without orders. So when AOU begins, we see her with a mission, but still reeling. Sheâs aching for belonging, and second guessing the life of a spy, so steeped in lies.
Thatâs why she seeks out Bruce. Because he hates the fighting, he just wants to live in peace and solitude. In her restlessness, that idea sounds very attractive. No more lies, no more deception. She just wants something thatâs REAL for once. Bruce is the exact opposite of anything sheâs ever wanted or had in her life previously, and that is why she entertains the idea of running away with him. Because she is weary from the life sheâs led.
But then Ultron comes, and Sokovia is under attack, and this is where Natasha is faced with a choice. Except for her, there is no choice to make. Bruce is ready to leave the fighting to the other Avengers and run away from it all. In his mind, heâs doing the right thing by staying away from the city but Nat knows better than that. Thatâs no excuse for her. âYouâve done more than your share,â He says, but thatâs not enough for her. She could leave with him and never look back, but Natasha Romanoff has never run away from a fight, ESPECIALLY when there are people and her friends in need. In this moment, she knows exactly where her place is and it is up in the clouds with earthâs mightiest heroes. And so she chooses saving earth over Bannerâs trust, and forces the Hulk to take up arms. She absolutely cannot abandon her friends. Her search for rediscovering herself ends here. She knows what she wants now and it is not the life Bruce longs for. This life as an Avenger is where she finds her purpose, she knows the world needs her. Just like she so confidently said for all to hear in court after SHIELD was destroyed and she brought her past into the light of day.
Now sheâs standing in the air with one Steve Rogers, telling him there are worse ways to die than gazing down at the world youâre willing to sacrifice everything for. And you know what? He understands. Because Captain America canât walk away when thereâs people in need either. He understands that youâve never âdone enoughâ until everyone is safe and the war is over. He showed her what it means to be in it til the end of the line, and now sheâs here right beside him, fighting to the bitter end. And when itâs over and the dust has cleared, sheâs still by his side. No more do thoughts of running enter her mind (until sheâs a fugitive on the run with Steve, to which she readily abandons all).
You see, Steve has become Natashaâs compass. He reminds her of her purpose and what sheâs fighting for. He reminds where she belongs. If thatâs what Natasha Romanoff was looking for in a home, then most assuredly sheâs found it in him.
Steve goes on to say to Tony, as theyâre exchanging goodbyes, that heâs not sure if settling down and raising a family is the life he wants anymore. He knows heâs making a difference as an Avenger, and the world needs him. Just like it needs Nat. So while she feels shame because she canât have kids, Steve doesnât need that farmhouse life. Heâs content to be saving the world with her (and adopt super kids like Wanda Maximoff who need all the love and support two super parents can give!!! Romanogers and their magica daughter is my favorite thing in the entire MCU folks!!!)
Why is Age of Ultron and even Hulktasha important? Because it reveals to the characters and to the viewers that Steve and Natasha want the same things. They find their solace in the fight. Selflessly. At the end of it all, theyâll be leading the front lines. Whatever it takes.
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
stormborns
