[ She scoots a bit more on the couch to give him space to sit beside her, easily lifting the dog and playfully nuzzling her face against his fur. She laughs. ]
Remember that time you got cat hair on your clothes and for a while we were so confused why I was suddenly allergic to you?
She takes the toy and gives him a kiss on the cheek for his thoughtfulness. Anyone can say what they want about him, and even he can beat himself up for some of the things he's done in the past, but she knows he is kind and good and she'll be there to remind him whenever he doubts himself. ]
Thought so. Besides, a dog needs toys. That's just a given.
( He'll always think himself unforgivable for the things that he's done but Steph forgives him so that's enough, he thinks, for him to not wallow in it. He babytalks the dog.)
[ The dog doesn't care about what he's done either, wiggling out of her lap and clambering over to him because of the toy. She laughs, leaning into his side and resting her chin on his shoulder. ]
( Bucky scratches the dog behind its ears and babytalks it some more because that's what you do with cute animals and he has always been a sucker for them. )
Seems like he does, yes. We are acceptable overnight guardians, it seems.
If dogs are like this with you, cats will probably never leave. I'm surprised one hasn't followed you home.
[ She fumbles through her pockets for her phone, wanting to take some photos or videos of this moment. It's very cute. But also, it's proof that he isn't the terrible person she knows he still believes he is. ]
[ Some days it still feels surreal to be called the love of someone's life or to be reminded that he's loved her for as long as she's loved him, but she's not complaining. She's never even once complained about having to go on the run and give up everything to start a new life. It's actually been quite nice, especially because she's not had to fight anymore. ]
Well you can say yes now.
[ The dog snatches the toy and runs around with it. She likes dogs. She can relate to their boundless energy and happy disposition. But she's not going to begrudge him if he wants a cat. She kisses his cheek and pushes herself off the couch. ] I'm gonna put the finishing touches on my latest painting, wanna help?
[ Her "studio" is a small storage room he'd converted into a working space. It had been really nice to do something with their hands that didn't involve fighting or destroying anything. She thought the quiet life would make her antsy eventually, but she's found a sense of peace and contentment she doesn't want to ever trade away.
She offers him one of the paintbrushes, serious about letting him help. On the canvas is Coney Island as she remembers from their childhood, rendered like a vintage photograph. ]
Needs some more clouds here. And maybe a couple birds.
Yeah, I'm thinking definitely some clouds and birds. Maybe a balloon? I always wanted a balloon as a kid and I couldn't afford to buy one for both me and Becca so she always got to have it.
( That's how Bucky's always been, willing to give away something he desperately wants to make someone else happy, and he thinks he still does it now. )
[ Her expression softens and, slipping an arm around his waist, she presses a kiss to his cheek. Becca hadn't been the only recipient of his kindness. She remembers one Christmas where he'd given her his share of the special holiday pie (and refused to share it when she counteroffered) because they hadn't accounted for her being over for dinner as her mother had taken on a shift at the hospital at the last minute. ]
I'll get you all the balloons you want the next time we go out.
[ Or maybe one for every year, on his birthday. Now that's an idea. ]
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All right. Let me see my replacement.
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[ But a scruffy, tired-looking dog is on her lap and she's drying his fur with a towel. ]
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( For her? Anything. )
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Remember that time you got cat hair on your clothes and for a while we were so confused why I was suddenly allergic to you?
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( He thinks so but it would be endearing if she did still have them, just a little thing to remind him of the past. )
it WOULD be funny if she turns out to be allergic to flerken hair 😂
[ If he starts anything now not even this dog can stop them. ]
What have you got there?
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( Bucky hands over the toy, a little stuffed bone with a squeaker in it. )
Toy. I figured the dog needed something to play with while he was...temporarily with us.
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[ Ha. She grins.
She takes the toy and gives him a kiss on the cheek for his thoughtfulness. Anyone can say what they want about him, and even he can beat himself up for some of the things he's done in the past, but she knows he is kind and good and she'll be there to remind him whenever he doubts himself. ]
Oh, good. Thanks. This will keep him busy.
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( He'll always think himself unforgivable for the things that he's done but Steph forgives him so that's enough, he thinks, for him to not wallow in it. He babytalks the dog.)
Bet your parents are missing you, little buddy.
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He likes you.
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Seems like he does, yes. We are acceptable overnight guardians, it seems.
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[ She fumbles through her pockets for her phone, wanting to take some photos or videos of this moment. It's very cute. But also, it's proof that he isn't the terrible person she knows he still believes he is. ]
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( Bucky hasn't run across any kittens as of late but the next time he does, it's probably coming home with him. )
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Well you can say yes now.
[ The dog snatches the toy and runs around with it. She likes dogs. She can relate to their boundless energy and happy disposition. But she's not going to begrudge him if he wants a cat. She kisses his cheek and pushes herself off the couch. ] I'm gonna put the finishing touches on my latest painting, wanna help?
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( Bucky gets up off the couch and starts to follow her and damn if the dog doesn't trot along behind them. )
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She offers him one of the paintbrushes, serious about letting him help. On the canvas is Coney Island as she remembers from their childhood, rendered like a vintage photograph. ]
Needs some more clouds here. And maybe a couple birds.
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( That's how Bucky's always been, willing to give away something he desperately wants to make someone else happy, and he thinks he still does it now. )
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I'll get you all the balloons you want the next time we go out.
[ Or maybe one for every year, on his birthday. Now that's an idea. ]
We need to make a list. What else do you want?
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( Getting other people things? That's easy. Asking for himself? Next to impossible. )
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