#headdiscussions

And just to clear up any (justified) worry over the level of stalker creepiness in the various versions (original book, Broadway musical, movie), we’re turning the creep factor of the Phantom WAY down.

(Unless a wild plot bunny attacks with Phantom!Pierce, Christine!Bucky, and Raoul!Steve. Which is always possible. Because in the book, the Phantom was THAT level of horrifying creep.)

Anyway. I’m thinking of a rough lineup, ahappilee​, but feel free to argue against me.

POTO Character - CA Character: reasoning

Paris Opera House - New York Opera: duh? (This could also be Broadway, as long as it’s set in New York.)

Erik the Phantom - post-ish Winter Soldier!Bucky: After growing up in eastern Europe and suffering horrible torture that left him with only one arm and more scars than can are visible, Bucky sees himself as crippled, horrific, unworthy. He’s done so many terrible things, he can’t be worthy of even laying eyes on Steve, who is so perfect and innocent and pure - people just haven’t realized it yet. Still, he cares so deeply for Steve, he’s going to watch over Steve, protect him, and MAKE people realize his greatness.

Christine Daae - Steve Rogers: Steve starts out as a small, waif-ish boy in the chorus with an angelic face and voice but no stamina for major roles. He dreams of becoming a star, of elevating the art of opera from crude, multi-lingual jokes to something pure and moving - something that will touch men’s souls. He has heard the legend of the Phantom and the marvelous wonders he brought from eastern Europe (if that is where he originated, rather than from the ether or from hell, like some skittish performers insist), and Steve longs to gain his help in becoming the artist he knows he could be, were his body not holding him back.

Madame Giry - Natasha Romanoff: Ms. Romanoff is aware of some of the horrors to which the elusive phantom (whom she calls James) was subjected. She sympathizes with him, but acts as a check on some of his more vindictive plans. (He really doesn’t like people looking down on Steve, okay? But that doesn’t excuse his temper.) She is a mentor to Steve and serves as the go-between for the Phantom and the opera’s managers...beyond her day job as a secretary.

Meg Giry - Sam Wilson: Another member of the chorus, Sam cares about Steve and is worried when he notices that Steve is being targeted by the mysterious Phantom for reasons unknown. He doesn’t share Steve’s belief that the Phantom only wishes to help Steve, especially when strange accidents start taking place within the opera house.

Carlotta the prima donna - Tony Stark: Tony gained his position partly through his natural talent for music and acting, but mostly through the sponsorship of his father, Howard Stark, who was a legendary (and very wealthy) performer. Before his death, Howard made an arrangement with the New York Opera House - as long as his son is the star, the NYOH can use money from an endowment he left behind. If they fire Tony, remove him as the headliner, or lose Tony to another opera/theater, then they lose the endowment. And it’s a big endowment. (Tony’s death or willing retirement from performing is their only out.)

Vicount Raoul de Chagny - Peggy Carter: Lady Carter hails from London and was an enthusiastic supporter of Howard Stark. She travels to New York to see his son perform, but is taken by the young man in the chorus, whose kind eyes and innocent enthusiasm gain more of her sympathy than Tony’s overdramatic flair.

Retiring manager(s) - Colonel Phillips: Mr. Phillips has had it with managing Stark Sr.’s overbearing ego and trying to corral his equally exasperating son. In any opera, there will be a certain level of drama outside the stage, but recent events have raised the tension to unbearable levels. He’s glad to hand the business over to the new managers - and may God help them, because he certainly won’t.

New manager(s) - Fury and Coulson: Both men have experience as traveling actors/directors, but not on the level of the internationally famous NY Opera, and not with the level of inter-cast tension and hidden characters as this institution.

Which one sexts like a straight white boy?

Neither Okay, Clint’s more likely to start sexting out of the blue (and be hilariously awkward at it). Though to be fair, he has a weird thing for Phil quoting “misuse of SHIELD resources” regs at him, so yeah.

Bucky actually got a lot of practice sweet talking women before the war, so he is surprisingly good at sexting. Steve, being an artist, is very visual, so again - lack of sucking. (Except in sexually appropriate contexts, of course.)

Which one cried during a fucking disney movie?

All of the above, but it takes different movies.

Who put a goddamned fork in the microwave?

Clint claims it was an accident. Phil didn’t roll his eyes - quite - but he did add (another) warning label to the microwave. (The “ABSOLUTELY NO SCIENCE IN THE MICROWAVE” one is mostly for Tony, though the others are occasional offenders.)

Both Steve and Bucky may or may not have abused their positions as “tragically out-of-time, confused supersoldiers” to get away with shit. Like ignoring the “no science” sticker.

Who does the silly hands-over-the-eyes “Guess who” thing?

Clint. 100% Clint.

Who puts their cold hands/feet on their partner?

Clint is a blanket thief and a super-powered space heater (it’s his secret super power.) Phil doesn’t look it, but he’s a sneaky son of a bitch, and he’s not above utilizing all available assets. Particularly the sexy one in his bed.

Bucky always feels a little chilled after escaping HYDRA, and Steve is always super warm, so. Cuddling happens.

Who had that embarrassing Reality TV marathon?

PHILLIP J. COULSON.

Steve and Bucky tried to join him for a little while, to see what the fuss was about, but they eventually slunk off with confused looks and the determination to never repeat the experience. Clint just made popcorn and watched the show (not the one on Tony’s wall-sized screen, though.)

Who laughs more during sex?

Clint firmly believes that sex is meant to be fun, not serious, and he loves that Phil trusts him enough to unwind and laugh at the weird noises, positions, etc. that they get into. Also, circus-level flexibility is a plus for trying out new things in bed.

Bucky finds sex with Steve oddly hilarious. Mostly because Steve takes it too seriously, so Bucky occasionally tickles him into relaxing.

WHO IS THE LITTLE SPOON?

Phil is the mattress and Clint is the blanket. (He likes to sprawl. Phil is more than okay with this.)