justakidfrombrklyn (
justakidfrombrklyn) wrote2014-04-13 11:41 pm
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At the door of Stark Tower
He doesn't really have a phone anymore, at least not one that isn't a burner on the end of it's life, and that phone never had the number he needed in it, so he didn't call ahead. Instead, he's just there, heading for the front desk to see if perhaps, just maybe, he has a friend here. Or at least an ally.
"Steve Rogers for Tony Stark, please?"
"Steve Rogers for Tony Stark, please?"
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Which is probably the worst thing he's ever experienced in his entire life.
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"You mind if I get this scanned, and share it with Bruce?" he asks, tapping the open file.
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"Nat had to call in a few favors to get it for me and I don't want her getting in trouble."
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Wait. I don't know better. And it's only paranoia if they're not actually out to get you. And Tony knows better; he's had way too many people out to get him not to. He frowns a little, and pours himself that third drink.
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"Thank you. For everything."
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And yeah, that's Tony throwing in with Steve, because Steve's good people, and what he knows of Bucky paints him as good people too, and, well. The bad guys fucked him up bad, and maybe Tony knows something about that kind of thing himself.
"And that is a when, not an if, 'cause now you've got the smartest guys on the planet on your team."
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"You two are close. It's good. Bucky and I were close like that. I don't even know if I can tell you about it. It's like... telling you about breathing."
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"That's what Pepper said, too. 'Personal growth.'" He shakes his head a little, but it's affectionate.
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"It looks good on you," he says without an inch of sarcasm. It's a genuine compliment.
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"Have you been talking to Pepper and Bruce? Is this all just some grand conspiracy to make me into a better person?"
Not that he isn't mostly teasing, but he's met his friends, and he wouldn't put it past them. Bruce would think it's funny.
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That's another long sip. It tastes terrible but it's actually hitting him. Of course, he only just now notices he's drinking out of the beaker and not the glass...
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"This one's a little weaker, but it has kind of a burnt sugar aftertaste."
What do you mean 'did he try it?' Of course he tried it. Every single batch.
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"This is not a good idea."
But he needs to indulge in a bad idea or two, because he's not sure what else to do. Good ideas just seemed to continue the same old feelings, the duty and the honor and honestly, he's not sure where 'happy' works into any of that but he doesn't think he's going to figure it out any time soon. Except--
"It keeps going through my head, you know."
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"...what does?" he asks after a moment.
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"That I never kissed him. I thought... I thought as soon as we're off this train, I'll be so happy I--"
But they never got off the train. At least not together.
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"You'll get that chance," Tony replies quietly. "Okay? I get it. But, look; he's alive, and that means there's hope, and somehow I doubt you'll ever give up hope."
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"Never. I'm with him till the end of the line. If he kills me..."
The words aren't said, but they're understood. If the Winter Soldier kills Captain America, Steve will let it happen and go peacefully for all that.
Steve hasn't let his guard down this long in a long long time.
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Then again, Tony hasn't been inside his head.
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"There a problem, Cap?"
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"I'm not sure this stuff is safe."
He taps the beaker.
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"It's not. Not for most people, anyway, it's for super-soldiers, space Vikings, and serious alcoholics only."
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"I'm--"
He doesn't know what he's being. Inappropriate? Relying on Tony for things that their acquaintanceship doesn't exactly provide for? Letting loose?
He feels like he's been Captain America for all seventy years, even though he knows it's only been five or so for him. Guilt is already starting to sink in.
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"You're just fine. Look, I'll even promise not to give you more than a little shit for anything you say. Sometimes, you just need to get it out, and I may be the closest you're going to get to a sympathetic ear."
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