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“It’s a very different kind of thankfulness than I’ve felt in the past, and I think it’s taken a lot of gardening in my heart, a lot of digging up so much soil and finding old roots that were in the way of other things blooming.” Happy 31st Birthday, Hayley Williams! (December 27th, 1988)

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Can we please talk about Natasha in Civil War?

Natasha, whose fear is to see the Avengers torn apart. She signs the Accords not because she trusts the government. Yes, she wants to make amends and agrees to an extent that people with powers need to be put in check, but more importantly, she believes it’s the best option of keeping the Avengers together. Path of least resistance, if you will. Natasha’s a pro at reading the terrain. She knows if they don’t sign, they would be heading down a road paved with pain. 

Her priority throughout Civil War is to keep her family intact. That’s why you can’t place her on a team. It’s not simply #TeamSteve vs #TeamTony. She didn’t hop from one side to the other. She’s playing by her own rules, governed by her head and heart. She tells Steve staying together is more important than how they stay together.

Natasha, who shows up at Peggy’s funeral because she doesn’t want Steve to be alone, worries about Tony’s state of mind, pauses mid-fight to get Clint’s reassurance that they’re still friends. Natasha, who lets Steve and Bucky leave despite the consequences she’d have to face and returns to find out how Rhodey’s doing instead of running to hide. Even in her last scene, she’s still playing mediator.

This is Natasha looking out for her own. This is Natasha trying to be a friend. This is Natasha acting on her emotions for her family, as Steve is for Bucky, and Tony for his parents and the victims in their missions.

So don’t whittle her down to a simple “double agent”. I will fight you.

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