Story: "Happy Hour" Part 9
Jan. 24th, 2014 12:18 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithThis story belongs to the series Love Is For Children which includes "Love Is for Children," "Eggshells," "Dolls and Guys," "Turnabout Is Fair Play," and "Touching Moments," "Splash," "Coming Around," "Birthday Girl," "No Winter Lasts Forever," "Hide and Seek," and "Kernel Error."
Fandom: The Avengers
Characters: Happy Hogan, Tony Stark, JARVIS.
Medium: Fiction
Warnings: Workplace violence, cross-class tension, problem drinking, false friends, misunderstandings, hangover, Happy!whump, Tony!whump.
Summary: Tony rescues Happy from an abusive employer. Happy rescues Tony from himself. But of course it's never really that simple ...
Notes: Angst. Hurt/Comfort. Fear of loss. Friendship. Confusion. Caregiving. Artificial intelligence. Communication. Feels. Tony Stark Has a Heart.
Begin with Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8.
Read the next posted piece, "Saudades."
Here ends "Happy Hour." Thank you all for sticking with the series this far! I love your input. Final thoughts on the story overall are welcome, in addition to reactions on this specific chapter. I also have a list of favorite photogenic scenes from the whole series for fanartists to consider, partly compiled from audience requests.
A note on feedback: While it's not necessary to comment on every post I make, remember that I don't know who reads/likes things if nobody says anything. Particularly on long stories, I've discovered that I get antsy if there's nothing but crickets chirping for several posts. So it helps to give me feedback at least once, even if it's just "I like this" or "This one doesn't grab me." First and last episodes are ideal if you rarely feel inspired to comment in the middle.
"Happy Hour" Part 9
Happy explored the tabs on the screen again, finding collections of classic and contemporary games. Some of them were old arcade games. Others were computer games with recent release dates. Several games had release dates for later in the year. Happy had no idea what to make of that. Maybe Mr. Stark knew people who made games. Rich people traded favors all the time.
Happy liked the good old games, though. He selected Grand Prix and pulled the right controller from its nest. The purr of the engine revving up made him grin.
Some time later, Jarvis interrupted with, "Sir is awake now. You may wait for him in the kitchen. Feel free to avail yourself of coffee and breakfast, if you wish."
"In the kitchen? The main kitchen?" Happy said dubiously.
"Sir does not often stand on ceremony."
"No, just coffee tables," Happy said without thinking, and then wanted to smack himself.
"Indeed. It is helpful for there to be someone to catch him, in such case." The voice was dry but warm. Maybe Jarvis and Happy could tag-team and keep Mr. Stark from getting into trouble quite so often.
Happy went to the kitchen. It looked shiny and industrial, far more complex than anything he knew how to use. Ready lights glinted from countless appliances. Coffee already trickled into a coffee pot.
Happy had no idea where anything was, but gamely tried the cabinet above the coffee machine. Logic prevailed, it held coffee cups, and he borrowed one with some kind of scientific-looking print on it. The coffee was breathtakingly good. Happy had never tasted anything like it before.
Mr. Stark wandered in, rumpled and sleepy and obviously hungover. He poured most of the coffee pot into a tall blue thermos cup that he clutched with both hands.
Happy couldn't help smiling when he saw the TARDIS printed on it. That one he recognized; he'd gotten hooked on the show during his stay in England. The Doctor was as wild as Mr. Stark, in his own way. Happy chuckled a little.
Mr. Stark startled at the sound. He spun around and spied Happy. "Oh. You came back," he said.
Of course Mr. Stark hadn't really expected to find Happy in his kitchen. Contract or no contract, it was too good to be true. Happy knew that. He stood up to leave --
-- and found himself with an armful of Mr. Stark again, draped over him in a sloppy sideways hug. "Are you really staying? Because that would be great. It's just people usually don't," the billionaire burbled. A huge grin lit his face.
"Sir, I did inform you when you woke that Mr. Hogan had signed on with Stark Industries," said Jarvis.
"Details," Mr. Stark said with an airy wave of his hand. He took a long pull from his coffee. Then he turned his attention back to his new chauffeur. "So what do you say, Mr. Hogan?"
There was really only one answer to that, nevermind if it crossed a line and broke a long-standing personal rule.
"Actually, my friends call me Happy."
* * *
Notes:
Grand Prix is a video game about racing cars.
An industrial kitchen has a sleek, technological style with an emphasis on metallic fixtures.
This is the science cup.
This is Tony's TARDIS cup.
~ END ~
Fandom: The Avengers
Characters: Happy Hogan, Tony Stark, JARVIS.
Medium: Fiction
Warnings: Workplace violence, cross-class tension, problem drinking, false friends, misunderstandings, hangover, Happy!whump, Tony!whump.
Summary: Tony rescues Happy from an abusive employer. Happy rescues Tony from himself. But of course it's never really that simple ...
Notes: Angst. Hurt/Comfort. Fear of loss. Friendship. Confusion. Caregiving. Artificial intelligence. Communication. Feels. Tony Stark Has a Heart.
Begin with Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8.
Read the next posted piece, "Saudades."
Here ends "Happy Hour." Thank you all for sticking with the series this far! I love your input. Final thoughts on the story overall are welcome, in addition to reactions on this specific chapter. I also have a list of favorite photogenic scenes from the whole series for fanartists to consider, partly compiled from audience requests.
A note on feedback: While it's not necessary to comment on every post I make, remember that I don't know who reads/likes things if nobody says anything. Particularly on long stories, I've discovered that I get antsy if there's nothing but crickets chirping for several posts. So it helps to give me feedback at least once, even if it's just "I like this" or "This one doesn't grab me." First and last episodes are ideal if you rarely feel inspired to comment in the middle.
"Happy Hour" Part 9
Happy explored the tabs on the screen again, finding collections of classic and contemporary games. Some of them were old arcade games. Others were computer games with recent release dates. Several games had release dates for later in the year. Happy had no idea what to make of that. Maybe Mr. Stark knew people who made games. Rich people traded favors all the time.
Happy liked the good old games, though. He selected Grand Prix and pulled the right controller from its nest. The purr of the engine revving up made him grin.
Some time later, Jarvis interrupted with, "Sir is awake now. You may wait for him in the kitchen. Feel free to avail yourself of coffee and breakfast, if you wish."
"In the kitchen? The main kitchen?" Happy said dubiously.
"Sir does not often stand on ceremony."
"No, just coffee tables," Happy said without thinking, and then wanted to smack himself.
"Indeed. It is helpful for there to be someone to catch him, in such case." The voice was dry but warm. Maybe Jarvis and Happy could tag-team and keep Mr. Stark from getting into trouble quite so often.
Happy went to the kitchen. It looked shiny and industrial, far more complex than anything he knew how to use. Ready lights glinted from countless appliances. Coffee already trickled into a coffee pot.
Happy had no idea where anything was, but gamely tried the cabinet above the coffee machine. Logic prevailed, it held coffee cups, and he borrowed one with some kind of scientific-looking print on it. The coffee was breathtakingly good. Happy had never tasted anything like it before.
Mr. Stark wandered in, rumpled and sleepy and obviously hungover. He poured most of the coffee pot into a tall blue thermos cup that he clutched with both hands.
Happy couldn't help smiling when he saw the TARDIS printed on it. That one he recognized; he'd gotten hooked on the show during his stay in England. The Doctor was as wild as Mr. Stark, in his own way. Happy chuckled a little.
Mr. Stark startled at the sound. He spun around and spied Happy. "Oh. You came back," he said.
Of course Mr. Stark hadn't really expected to find Happy in his kitchen. Contract or no contract, it was too good to be true. Happy knew that. He stood up to leave --
-- and found himself with an armful of Mr. Stark again, draped over him in a sloppy sideways hug. "Are you really staying? Because that would be great. It's just people usually don't," the billionaire burbled. A huge grin lit his face.
"Sir, I did inform you when you woke that Mr. Hogan had signed on with Stark Industries," said Jarvis.
"Details," Mr. Stark said with an airy wave of his hand. He took a long pull from his coffee. Then he turned his attention back to his new chauffeur. "So what do you say, Mr. Hogan?"
There was really only one answer to that, nevermind if it crossed a line and broke a long-standing personal rule.
"Actually, my friends call me Happy."
* * *
Notes:
Grand Prix is a video game about racing cars.
An industrial kitchen has a sleek, technological style with an emphasis on metallic fixtures.
This is the science cup.
This is Tony's TARDIS cup.
~ END ~
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2014-01-24 07:26 am (UTC)Well...
Date: 2014-01-24 07:30 am (UTC)Re: Well...
From: (Anonymous) - Date: 2014-01-24 08:04 am (UTC) - ExpandRe: Well...
From:Re: Well...
From:Re: Well...
From:(no subject)
Date: 2014-01-24 08:17 am (UTC)Giddyant
Thank you!
Date: 2014-01-24 10:03 pm (UTC)What we see in Tony now is built on foundations laid long ago, the good and the bad alike. So I look for places to show some of that.
>> And poor Happy, so jittery about good things happening to him. <<
Happy has not always been as fortunate in his employment as he just became. Too many rich folks are all promise and no payout. Tony, even as a wild young thing, does better.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-01-24 08:22 am (UTC)Thank you!
Date: 2014-01-30 08:29 pm (UTC)That's good to hear.
>> Thank you for taking your time and continuing the series, I do greatly enjoy it and I look forward to your next installment <<
I'm working on the next story. Meanwhile, the poem "Saudades" is posting, with a look at Bruce's past.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-01-24 08:41 am (UTC)Oh, Tony. Doesn't that just say everything?
Also, yay for Happy. Love him, and very glad to see a bit of fic focusing on him, especially in this series.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-01-24 01:26 pm (UTC)Yay!
From:Yay!
From:Yes...
From:(no subject)
Date: 2014-01-24 11:22 am (UTC)Thank you!
Date: 2014-01-30 08:27 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2014-01-24 11:44 am (UTC)Yup, liking this series. And Happy's going to need that ability to 'shoot-from-the-lip' around Tony.
Incidentally, if you're doing retrospectives, I've always wondered about the start of JARVIS's and Tony's relationship.
Thank you!
Date: 2014-01-30 08:26 pm (UTC)Yup, liking this series. <<
I'm glad to hear that.
>> And Happy's going to need that ability to 'shoot-from-the-lip' around Tony. <<
Yes, that's true.
>> Incidentally, if you're doing retrospectives, I've always wondered about the start of JARVIS's and Tony's relationship. <<
I'll keep it in mind.
Love it!
Date: 2014-01-24 12:52 pm (UTC)More more more more please!
And more Game Night/Love is For Children/Uncle Phil? PleasePleasePlease?
Re: Love it!
Date: 2014-01-26 07:11 am (UTC)Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed this so much.
>> More more more more please!
And more Game Night/Love is For Children/Uncle Phil? PleasePleasePlease? <<
The next thing I have completed is a poem with a bit of backstory about Bruce-and-Hulk. I'm still working on the long story about integrating Bucky into the Avengers.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-01-24 01:24 pm (UTC)My only complaint is that it's too short. I still want more of these two. Can't wait to see Happy again down the road somewhere.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-01-24 06:56 pm (UTC)Thank you!
From:Re: Thank you!
From:Re: Thank you!
From:(no subject)
Date: 2014-01-24 03:36 pm (UTC)Thank you!
Date: 2014-01-26 10:27 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2014-01-25 01:07 am (UTC)A
Thank you!
Date: 2014-01-25 01:13 am (UTC)I'm glad you enjoyed this.
>> I loved the entire story, getting to see Tony when he was younger, and Happy!! <<
I wanted to explore Tony before he was fully developed, and start touching on his relationships with other people outside the team. He's almost the only Avenger with close ties elsewhere, but the superhero work has put stress on those relationships now. I'd like to explore Tony's connection to Happy, Pepper, and Rhodey later in the series. So it helps to look back a bit.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-01-25 01:22 am (UTC)Thank you!
Date: 2014-01-26 08:13 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2014-01-25 12:39 pm (UTC)Thank you!
Date: 2014-01-26 07:32 pm (UTC)I'm happy to hear that.
>> I'm glad that you wrote Tony as a sympathetic character - screwed up and addicted but basically a decent person who's been kicked around. <<
I rarely write about unsympathetic characters. I don't want to spend time with people I don't like.
>> I was reading something recently which had Tony pegged as an unrepentant asshole and it definitely rubbed me the wrong way! <<
Tony is an asshole. He doesn't care about pleasing random strangers or enemies. He has almost no patience for social niceties. But he has a good heart. He didn't hesitate to destroy his company when he couldn't stomach weapon-making anymore. He threw himself on a bomb when his teammates wouldn't have expected it (although I suspect Bruce-and-Hulk knew, just as Tony knew they'd make it to the battleground). So part of Tony's asshole behavior is innate; he's brilliant, touch-dominant, and easily bored or frustrated. A bigger chunk is abuse damage, both in terms of hostility and ignorance. When Tony hurts people he cares about -- which happens a lot -- he grovels. That's not unrepentant. It also disproves the "textbook narcissism" that he snowed Natalia Rushman and Fury with.
The challenge in writing a character like Tony is to balance plausibility with likability. Too sweet and nobody believes it's him, or that he could've come out of a life that messy. Too bitter and he's no fun to be around. So I tend to write Tony as flippant and careless of surface details, but with a deeper level of regard. Most of the time he's pretty good, if you don't mind a shallow layer of shenanigans and senselessness. Periodically he melts down and causes a real problem. But if his friends need help, he will beat the laws of physics into sparking wreckage for their sake.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-01-25 01:46 pm (UTC)I was wondering, in the beginning they talk about how Thor and Loki could benefit from this,do you have any plans to add them?
Thank you for writing and posting such great fiction!
You're welcome!
Date: 2014-01-25 06:33 pm (UTC)Yay! That's good to hear.
>> I was wondering, in the beginning they talk about how Thor and Loki could benefit from this,do you have any plans to add them? <<
I would like to add Thor and Loki. First I have to wrap up some other plot threads, though.
>> Thank you for writing and posting such great fiction! <<
*bow, flourish* Happy to be of service.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-01-26 02:53 am (UTC)Thank you!
Date: 2014-01-26 03:10 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2014-01-26 04:42 am (UTC)Thank you!
Date: 2014-01-26 07:05 am (UTC)Happy is one of the reasons Tony is able to trust people by the time the Avengers show up. Tony's been fucked over so much by people who should have taken care of him, it's a wonder he hasn't imploded by now. But there have always been a few shining lights to keep the hope alive.
>> It doesn't really feel finished, though. <<
Well, this story was about the beginning of their relationship, how they met. It's not meant to be the complete story of Happy and Tony.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-01-26 04:47 am (UTC)Thank you!
Date: 2014-01-26 07:58 pm (UTC)I'm glad you liked this.
>> Tony's sloppy hugging and Happy giving him his 'friend name' was heartwarming. <<
It's always going to be a challenge for Tony and Happy to navigate the territory between employment and friendship -- but this is the point where they agreed that's where their relationship was going to live, in that middle ground.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-01-26 07:12 am (UTC)Tony.
Thank you!
Date: 2014-01-26 07:22 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2014-01-27 03:31 am (UTC)Thank you!
Date: 2014-01-27 04:17 am (UTC)I'm glad to hear that.
>> Happy is a great guy in canon and you've explored much of what makes the character so likeable - his palpable concern and affection for his employer. <<
Yes, that's what I was aiming for. Yay, it worked!
(no subject)
Date: 2014-01-27 04:18 pm (UTC)Yay!
Date: 2014-01-29 07:05 am (UTC)I'm glad you enjoyed this.
>> and if you ever add Happy to your longer-length fics that would make me very happy indeed. :D <<
I would like to do that. Happy is bound to notice some of the changes in Tony, as game night and teamfamily move Tony in healthier directions.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-01-27 07:33 pm (UTC)Thank you!
Date: 2014-01-29 07:03 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2014-01-27 09:03 pm (UTC)Thank you!
Date: 2014-01-29 07:03 am (UTC)Yay! I'm glad that worked for you.
>> Happy does not get enough love in the fandom IMO <<
I agree. He's such an important part of Tony's life, because Tony has very few people he can trust at all.
Squee!
Date: 2014-01-31 11:21 pm (UTC)This fic is so cute! I like this version of how Happy and Tony met. Well done!
~RageQueen89
Re: Squee!
Date: 2014-02-03 07:54 am (UTC)Yay! Feedback is candy.
>> This fic is so cute! I like this version of how Happy and Tony met. Well done! <<
I'm glad to hear that. There seem to be several versions of their meeting in various iterations of canon. I used some of that for loose inspiration, but I really wanted something more in keeping with the tone of this series.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-23 03:33 am (UTC)And as always, Tony's touch-dominant mannerisms are so endearing to me. That sloppy hug at the end--!
Thoughts
Date: 2014-02-23 07:43 pm (UTC)Yay, I'm glad you made it!
>> Happy's quiet determination to do good, even when it is inconvenient or dangerous or not his problem, is a good match for Tony--their hearts are both in the right place, whatever else they might try to hide it behind. <<
Sooth. I think that Happy helps inspire Tony to be a good person, to care about what's going on around them.
>> Actually, huh, there is a lot of parallel there, considering how much of a clown Happy can be in the movies at times. <<
That's what I thought about their relationship: enough similarities for common ground, enough differences for interest and compensation of each other's weaknesses.
>> And as always, Tony's touch-dominant mannerisms are so endearing to me. That sloppy hug at the end--! <<
It just leaped out at me in the movies, that Tony was portrayed as touch-dominant. It's not something most people understand but it is something that can be copied from observation. A lot of irritating people are touch-dominant and they're irritating because they are out of phase with a society tuned to visual and audio parameters.
There's a whole running thread throughout this series about the characters managing physical interactions. Some of them are very touchy-feely while others are more reserved. Some of them have skin hunger or touch aversion or even both. So it's a constant challenge for them to juggle the internal and external factors to be comfortable with themselves and each other.
One thing Tony is learning is that he doesn't have to get sloppy drunk to meet his skin hunger. He doesn't have to pick up a stranger in a bar for a mindless fuck. He can just ask, and Bruce or Clint or somebody else will snuggle with him. He can just ask, and Steve or Natasha or somebody else will spar with him. I think that helps a lot with mellowing out Tony's moods.
Re: Thoughts
From:Re: Thoughts
From:(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-23 08:38 am (UTC)http://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/179254604/doctor-who-tardis-symbols-black-blue
Ooo ...
Date: 2014-02-23 07:02 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2014-03-08 02:12 am (UTC)Thank you!
Date: 2014-03-08 02:19 am (UTC)