cap_ironman | Fanfic: Lesson in Politics

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Fanfic: Lesson in Politics

Title: Lesson in Politics
Pairing: ULTIMATE! Steve and Tony
Rating: G-ish
Word Count: 1864
Notes:
Ever since I noticed that the back of my Ultimate Vol 1 collection not only affiliated Captain America with a specific political party, but with the current presidential nominee for said party, I've had this fic in the back of my mind. Because we all know Cap does not approve of being used.

Thanks to

ellyr_in_ink for giving this a quick once through to check for any of my usual typos, word substitutions, and slaughtering of grammar and/or characterization.

It took nanoseconds for Tony to realize that he was in real trouble.
Steve loomed over him, arms folded across his imposing chest, blue eyes burning a metaphorical hole through Tony's head.

Despite all that, Tony Stark kept his expression bemused. Billionaires didn't become billionaires by showing fear, even when fear might be the appropriate response.

"Good Morning," Tony gave Steve a chipper smile and a mock salute. The sudden movement caused some of his second martini of the morning to slosh over the rim of the crystal glass.

Steve's hands unfolded so fast that the movement looked like a blur to Tony. He winced, expecting to feel pain. Instead, something rectangular and floppy landed in his lap. Its pages made a soft noise as they settled.

Picking the object up with his free hand, Tony stared at it. The words 'The Ultimates' were emblazoned above an image of Captain America standing dramatically in the foreground with the rest of the team behind him.

"Explain that." Steve demanded.

Tony blinked at him. "It's the graphic novel of our first major battle. You know that thing you looked at about a year ago and signed a waiver for." Tony tried to think what in the comic would cause Steve to come storming in here looking moments away from doing major damage to something. Or someone.

"Look Steve, if it's the fight scene with Jan and Hank, Jan signed off on that. Jan happily signed off on that. Hank wouldn't, but frankly I don't give a shit. It's not like he can sue for libel."

Steve scowled. "I don’t care about Hank! And Jan." Steve faltered and looked down for a moment. "Jan does what she wants."

Tony raised an eyebrow at that but opted to say nothing. There was no point in making Steve angrier.

"Well Steve, you did sign off on all the parts about you in this, so if something bothers you now—"

"I got a call today from McCain's political campaign asking if I'd introduce him at a rally."

Tony stayed silent and waited to see where this was going. He couldn't even begin to fathom how an overzealous political aide lad to in an irate Steve Rogers glowering down at a devilishly handsome, yet defenseless without his armor, industrialist.

He sipped the martini and nodded for Steve to rant on.

The still imposing man folded his arms again and looked down as though the floor had made a particularly insulting remark about his mother.

"I explained my stance against endorsing any politician."

"Right, the 'I represent the country not a party' spiel." Tony took another sip fortifying himself for whatever was coming and the end of Steve's preamble.

Steve nodded, face still grim. "She apologized and explained she'd been under the impression I supported her candidate. So I asked her what gave her that idea. Do you know what she said, Tony?"

Tony gave Steve his best 'I am totally innocent of whatever wrong doing you accuse me of' look and held up the graphic novel. "I'm going to take an educated guess that it's something in here. Otherwise, Cap, that was a nice but unrelated story."

"Read the back," Steve said, in a voice that Tony swore chilled his drink.

Obediently Tony flipped the back over and eyed the blurb on the back. "Do I really need to read the whole thing, or can I salvage some time and only read the part after your name?" Without actually waiting for a response Tony began to read out loud.

"blah blah I'm awesome, Thor, Blah, Hank who cares, Oh ok, here, " Tony cleared his throat. "Captain America a star-spangled super-soldier with John Glenn's buzz-cut cool, John . . ." Tony paused and his eye widened.

"Oh. Shit."

Steve's eyes narrowed " **John McCain's politics," he filled in. "I know I damn well did not approve that."

'Wonderful,' Tony thought. 'He's mad enough to curse at me. What a way to start the day.'

Tony looked sheepishly up at Steve while running through various damage control scenarios in his head.

"It's the publishers blurb. They came up with it on their own, so you're right, you didn't approve it." Tony flipped the front of the book open and eyed the publication date. 2005. Too late for a recall. "Damn" he thought.

Steve didn't look remotely appeased, "And you didn't notice that blurb? You have all those damn merchandising rights."

"Merchandising rights," Tony said getting too his feet, "don't mean I look at every sentence." He ran his fingers through his hair causing it to stand on end a little. "I don't suppose you do have McCain's politics and we can just let this go?"

Steve's face darkened.

"Bad move, Stark." Tony thought to himself.

Steve snatched the comic up and thrust it under Tony's nose. "My politics are not your business, and they sure as heck are not all of America's business. I don't think you understand what—"

"No I do." Tony put a hand to his head, "Or at least I can imagine. This book just put the symbol of America on the side of one presidential candidate over another presidential candidate."

Steve sat, seemingly somewhat appeased that Tony understood his position. Looking out the window across the room, he sighed and the shook his head. "It's just . . . It gets tiring being Captain America with the country divided like it is now."

He shook his head and looked over at Tony with an expression Tony had come to associate with what he thought of as "Steve's culture shock moments"

"It's funny," Steve went on, "I don't recall it being so hard in the 40's."

Tony took a drink and said nothing about just how much one-sided propaganda he thought Steve had been used for in the 40's. Again, he didn't see the point in giving Steve more reasons to kill him, especially now that the man seemed to be winding down.

"The easiest thing to do is to not get involved, but things like this--." Steve trailed off and slumped against the chair.

Tony walked over and leaned against the arm of Steve's chair, contemplating the situation. "I can contact the publisher this afternoon and have the blurb removed from all future reprints, but as for what's already out—" Tony rubbed at his beard. "Technically, I could do a recall."

Steve looked up, blue eyes hopeful.

"But it's been out for three years. If I make the publishers recall them now, it will only draw attention to the comics."

"Great," Steve sighed.

Tony gave Steve a flicker of a smile. "Sorry Steve, but that's a basic train wreck affect. You say something's wrong, everyone wants to know what it is."

"And then more people will see the blurb rather than less," Steve rested his head in his hand and muttered something that sounded suspiciously like another curse.

"I don't think we can stop people from seeing that blurb" Tony commented with a matter of fact shrug, "However –" He crossed the room in six purposeful strides and pushed down on intercom system at his desk.

"Good morning Mrs. Potts." Tony took another sip of his drink before continuing on. "Could you contact Rick Davis for me and let him know I've got a one time offer if he can meet me for lunch today? And tell him to bring the sideshow spectacle he's been hawking for the last few months."

"Mr. Stark," Pepper's amusement carried over the intercom speakers, "are you actually volunteering for a luncheon date?"

"It's a special occasion," Tony said smiling. "Now, get on it Mrs. Potts. Oh and send Jarvis in with some wine."

"Right away, Mr. Stark."

Tony clicked of the intercom and turned to find a pair of blue eyes staring at him as though he'd just walked on water. "What?" he asked, finishing off the drink in his hand.

"Rick Davis? That's McCain's—"

"Campaigner manager, yes it is, and I'm impressed, by the way, that you knew that."

Steve stood, "Tony you can't just call and demand to have lunch with him! He's a senator for crying –"

The intercom cut Steve off. Without looking away from Captain America, Tony reached behind him and turned the speaker on again.

'Tony, Mr. Davis says they can meet you at 1:30 if you come to Maine, but if you want them to meet you, it'll have to be dinner around 6:00."

Tony paused to grin at the awe struck man across from him. "Tell Davis I'll meet McCain in Maine at 1:00. Time is of the essence here, Pep, but don't tell them that."

"Of course not, Mr. Stark. And I'll notify your pilot that you'll be leaving within the hour."

Tony smiled "Actually I'll be leaving within minutes, pass that on." Tony clicked the intercom system back off raised his eyebrow at Steve.

"You were saying?"

"We are just going to meet McCain and ask him not to use that blurb and you think he'll listen to us?"

"Absolutely not," Tony said as he put on a jacket.

Tony looked at Steve's confused expression and laughed. "Good lord Steve, you're worried a blurb on the back of some graphic novel that only 15-27 year old comic nerds read, but you are ok having lunch with the man? You still don't understand 21st century media do you."

Tony didn't even wait for a response. "And besides, no, he wouldn't listen to you. He'll listen to me. I'm the one with the donation."

"No!" Steve said so loudly Tony jumped.

"No?"

"Tony you absolutely will not bribe a politician on my behalf!"

Tony rolled his eyes. "You're right. I won't."

"But –"

"I'm not making a bribe, I'm making a donation. With strings attached, one string actually."

Steve's face contorted as though he'd just bitten into something bitter and Tony had to suppress another eye roll.

"Steve, those are the only kinds of donations anyone makes, at least anyone of my status. And by the way, that little bit of reality dates back to at least the 40's." Tony began to take his jacket back off, "but if you want, I can cancel. I'm famous for my unpredictability you know."

Steve scowled.

Tony smiled back.

"I can also promise you if an aide saw that book, it won't be long until your alleged 'support' becomes an integral part of their political campaign. So, I can explain to McCain why that is not a good idea, using my checkbook to help illustrate the point, or you'll suddenly have a very public political affiliation whether you like it or not."

Steve's scowl darkened but he did nothing to stop Tony as the industrialist put his jacket back on and opened the door.

Jarvis was standing there carrying a tray that supported a full glass of wine along with the bottle. Tony grabbed the bottle and left the glass.

"Jarvis," he called out, not looking behind him, "Bring Steve some brunch, something that goes well with bruised idealism."

As he hurried down the hall, Tony heard Jarvis offer Steve a drink.

-END

** I didn't make that up y'all. I'm quoting Marvel's own add.
Here's the whole quote from the back of The Ultimates Vol 1
Captain America, a star-spangled super-soldier with John Glenn's buzz-cut cool, John McCain's politics and Mike Tyson's right cross"

Trust me, I couldn't have come up with that on my own if I tried.

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(deleted comment)

Thank you! I was so nervous about this. Not only was it my first fic for this fandom (and I'm not generally a fic writer to begin with) but it was . . kinda political. ^^;;

Ellyr_in_ink said it was good though and I trust her to tell me if something is awful, so I posted it. It' seemed a fun thing for voting day anyway ^__^

Same here, well . . I'm sure Steve Rogers has ideas and votes and such, but when being Captain America, yeah he'd really have to be above that.

Which is why the blurb on the back of my Ultimates Vol 1 still floors me, especially since I saw it after reading some big spiel from . . Burbank I think (don't recall who for sure) about how they were trying to keep Cap above right and left politics.

And then Wham!
There's this quote saying Captain America has the politics of John McCain. Now granted that came out in 2005, at which time John McCain was known as the conservative bucking his own party in protest over their stance on torture, so maybe it looked like a good fit for a guy from the 1940's (and Ultimates I think is less worried about the symbolic nature of Cap than 616 is), but I just had to wonder if they'd still have made the comparison if they knew John McCain would be the Republican Presidential nominee.

So then I joked to a friend at work that MAN! If I were John McCain I'd have taken Marvel's flub and gleefully run with it.

That sparked this story because suddenly I had a plot about why McCain did not do that and not just a little Captain America protesting in my head *L*

...and the couldn't have compared him to Mr.Smith Goes to Washington instead why now?

I can't ever see Steve Rogers calling anyone a trollop or a cunt (what McCain did), when Deathbird put the move on him, he was still polite enough to refer to her as lady ("What is going on, lady?"). He is soo totally a boy scout.

*cough*
Well, it says McCain's politics, not McCain's word usage ^^;; but also . . .Ultimate!Steve called Thor a pinko, so ummm not as bad . . . I guess, but I sure did a double take .

To be totally honest, I think it's a fair comparison given how he's written in Ultimates. In the comics, and even more so in the novels, he is conservative.

I'm just surprised Marvel named an actual politican rather than saying something like "John Glenn's buzz-cut cool, 1940's morals, and Mike Tyson's right cross (I left this part out, but that's was the third comparison)."

That still indentifies Steve as having old fashioned ways, but without getting as political.

But it's the back blurb, and I guess they wanted a quick association, and in 2005 McCain was pretty much the only conservative not in Bush's camp (at the time) with name recognition. But skip to 2008 and maybe they regret that choice just bit. =P

You know though, I think sometimes Ultimates *tries* to be controversial like that, so maybe the knew exactly what they were doing. Who knows.

I just know everytime I read it, a little chibi Steve is sad about the opening for the abuse of his persona that blurb creates. So Tony demanded to be allowed to make it better for Steve, but in an Ultimate!Tony kinda way.

Edited 2008-11-04 19:51 (UTC)

I do prefer it when parties DON'T co-opt nationalism.

Is this based on the time John McCain used John Mellencamp's song even after being told no?

errr no. It's just based on what I said.
That quote Tony reads, I didn't make it up.

Marvel really let that be printed on the Ultimate trade paperback that came out in 2005 and it still says it today. I quoted it word for word.
That's all it was based on.

I'm kinda more making fun of Marvel accidently equating Captain America with a presidential nominee. Back in 2005, they couldn't have known, but now it's funny to me.

Tony's solution is based on my own cynicism about politicians. But I think most any politican would take that "donation", democrat or republican, so it's not McCain specific.

I'm sorry, Cap is so an Obama fan.

Hope! Change! Idealism! Obama practically *is* Cap.

In fact... what *is* Obama's middle name again? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QsImarSszg

Don't look at me!
I just went with what Marvel let be written about Ultimate!Cap. I'm so not trying to guess which candidate he'd prefer. He makes scary faces at me when I do.

And 616!Cap refuses to get involved. He's busy being dead and haunting Tony. Or that's what I'm pretending. No wait I'm pretending is not dead and living with Tony. And having major make up sex.

That said, this is just-out-of-the-iceUltimate!Cap who in the Ultimate cnon, has major issues with the socialist politics of Thor. So, like I was saying to hohaiyee, he is in fact written with conservative values in the Ultimate universe.

I'm just shocked that who ever wrote the blurb opted to name a specific person. And, I am amused that the person named ran for president three years *L*

That's like epic fail at not associating Cap with a political party, because the average person won't know the difference between 616!Cap and Utlimate!Cap.

I think 616! Cap, if he was alive, would be keeping impartial but Steve would be totally in the Obama camp, if that makes any sense.

Oh no, that makes perfect sense. That's totally how I look at it. Steve has a preference. I mean you kinda have to, or voting is hard (and yes, from what I've read, 616!Steve leans left).

But, yeah that's Steve.
Captain America can't take a side.

And I think both Ultimate! and 616 Cap would feel like that, so Steve's opinions aside, the phrase 'Captain America has the poplitcs of [fill in blank with any politican]' hitting mass pulbication would *really* bother him.

Awwww, leave Cap alone, politics!

Exactly! Poor Cap. Ultimate Cap did not deserve that! Especially right now.
Tony will make it better with ~~bribes~~ donations.

And Steve will pretend to be offended when secretly he is *really* appreciative. *L*

In 616 a campaigning politician tried to get Cap's endorsement, and Cap refused in a polite way. This was during a period where all Marvel's US pretty much worshipped him. When Cap was tied up in a closet while a flamboyant Skrull impersonated him, the Skrull gave an endorsement to that same politician. After that had been resolved and the politician was suffering from that, Steve felt bad, so as Cap he exposed the politician's opponent's ties to (I think) Hydra, and since he liked the politician's policies he went and stumped for him as Steve Rogers.

I do think that's a pretty definite way of showing that while Steve has his opinions on politics, he's not willing to let anyone take his image. I liked those issues...

0.o

sooooo it takes a lot to get cap to endorse a candidate then *L*
Out of curiosity did Marvel specify the party of the candidate? I'd be surprised if they did. You don't offhand know the issues do you? It sounds like an interesting story.

I do think that's a pretty definite way of showing that while Steve has his opinions on politics, he's not willing to let anyone take his image.

Yup. That seems to be pretty consistent throughout. He wants to for whats good about the country not things that divide it. And random people using his name, yeah no.

I was hesitant posting this, though because you know . . politics much, but I just couldn't let go of Steve's reaction to what Marvel did, and the fic demanded to be written.

It was fun to write and I'm glad everyone is taking it ok.

Some of this - the offer, the Skrull - was in a trade called "To Serve And Protect", which I posted from in (http://community.livejournal.com/scans_daily/6433733.html) these (http://community.livejournal.com/scans_daily/6440818.html) four (http://community.livejournal.com/scans_daily/6441199.html) issues. (http://community.livejournal.com/scans_daily/6441271.html) I didn't scan the politician part, but recently someone did mention what happened with that guy later.

The perfect story to top off a highly political day! I love how Steve calls Tony's solution bribery, and Tony calls it a donation with strings attached. It's always a treat to see fic that plays off of the characters' ideals and political stances. And Tony's line: "Bring Steve some brunch, something that goes well with bruised idealism." made me laugh.

I hope I'm not nitpicking, but I was a bit thrown at the beginning when Tony was described as having a bemused expression and a chipper smile so closely. It made me wonder if 'bemused' was the word you were looking for.

The perfect story to top off a highly political day!

THANK YOU! I have to admit I was hesitant to post it but I'm glad idea (heck comments inspired the the comic I did so yay!)

It's always a treat to see fic that plays off of the characters' ideals and political stances

I feel that way too, because I think having political opinions adds characterization, but it's scary to do because people usually want to have a character represent their ideals and when the don't well . . . people get upset.

Captain America is that times like a billion 0.o

Ohh and nitpick away!
especially when you are right ^^ That wasn't the word I wanted.

Edited 2008-11-06 03:07 (UTC)

Lol oh dear this opened up a whole can of worms. Politics were really a McGuffin here, and I enjoyed that. I can't say I like the Ultimates universe in general, but I definitely enjoyed this piece. :)

Lol oh dear this opened up a whole can of worms.

*L* I was worried I might, but Marvel tossed me a bone I could not put down.

Politics were really a McGuffin here
You must explain that.
And tell me what area of it is from because I've never heard that before. Cool! New phrase. Ahhh I hope I didn't mess anything up ^^;;

I can't say I like the Ultimates universe in general, but I definitely enjoyed this piece. :)

I'm glad it was enjoyable even to a non Ultimate fan. ^__^
I really got into Avengers via Ultimates so it's kinda the characterization I'm more familiar with.

I'm still working out 616 Tony and Cap. I'm missing so much back history on them, so it's all too fuzzy for me to feel confident fic writing in that universe.

Very understandable, lol, 616 is like a mountain of canon.

A McGuffin/MacGuffin is basically just a driving piece for a story. Like in a Batman movie, we don't really care about the necklace Catwoman is going to steal, just that she's going to steal it, and Batman is going to try to stop her. The story is Batman and Catwoman, not Batman and Catwoman and a Necklace.

This story wasn't about politics, really, it was about Steve having a problem with something Tony had done, and Tony fixing it. Like obviously politics colored the piece, but it was more about the characters than any political statement.

MCGUFFIN!!

Oh yay! I was worried you meant politics were taboo here (as in here on the community) or something *whew* I feel better know

it was about Steve having a problem with something Tony had done, and Tony fixing it.
Yup yup, and a way to explor their opinions and how they interact because I ove their interactions in Ultimates and feverently wish they had more.

but it was more about the characters than any political statement.

Oh yeah, in fact I really had no political statment on this one, really, other then Point and Laugh at Marvel. I just kept with what I felt the characters would do.

*add to favorites*
the Ultimate verse for me is quite un-slashable, so if I can see them like friend, to be more honest their relationship is more formal in my opinion.
They are perfectly IN character *_*
Great work.

*add to favorites*

SERIOUSLY! OMG! Thank you!!

the Ultimate verse for me is quite un-slashable, so if I can see them like friend, to be more honest their relationship is more formal in my opinion.

You realize I take this as a challenge right *LOL*

They are perfectly IN character *_*

WOW!
yay!
I mean ok if I'd thought they were OOC I'd not have posted it, but it's great to have outside confirmation that I did well. Thank you ^__^

I love Tony is this fic. I love Steve in this fic. I love this fic.

You rock. *snuggles*

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