Hmmm.

[vr_trakowski]

If you read Löyli, would you be willing to give me an opinion on a possibly touchy issue? 


It has been brought to my attention that the scenario I created in Löyli could be considered sexual assault. 

I am not in possession of details, so I'm not sure to which part the objection refers--Tony hugging Pepper during their argument, or the encounter afterwards.  It could be both, I suppose, though I thought I was making it clear that Pepper was entirely willing for at least the latter part. 

In my head, Tony's hug, while unwelcome, isn't sexual in nature; it's a product of his epiphany, and he doesn't let her go at first because he's too caught up in that to pay attention to her anger.  But I may not have made that clear enough.  It could also be that some definitions of sexual assault are more stringent than mine. 

Opinions?  I'd really like to know what you think; you are, after all, the people for whom these stories are written.  Did I go too far?  Did I break character?  Am I doing the characters, or the fandom, a disservice? 

Thank you. 

ETA: Wow.  I wasn't anticipating quite this response, but I'm glad to see it!  Thank you all for your honesty, and for your courtesy.  And if you came from somewhere outside the fandom, welcome, feel free to join in. 

I fully intend to respond to the new replies, but if I don't get some sleep I'm going to start hallucinating, so I'll be back tomorrow.  Please, carry on meanwhile if you are so moved; just stay courteous. 

Comments

[cabooklover.livejournal.com]

Wow, there are some interesting takes on your fic.

For me, the bottom line is this: Pepper grabbed his hair and kissed him, and didn't bother to be gentle.

She kissed HIM. They were still fighting but they were absolutely equals in that scene.

I think it's great and I didn't see it as assualt. Pepper gave as good as she got. He hugged her and wouldn't let go, but Pepper got him to let go. I see two strong people going back and forth here.

Does that make sense?

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Since that's what I thought when I wrote it, yep, makes sense to me! :D The hug and the subsequent smut seem to be two different issues, and people have made some excellent points; I stand by my story, but I've learned something too, which is really a pretty good day when one gets down to it.

Thanks for commenting! I'm glad that people saw it as I did also.