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. ]
[ She says it offhandedly, stepping away from him to pick up a brush and start adding in some clouds. Clearly teasing. Clearly knowing that since she's brought it up, he's going to want it now.
She's the same way, though. She's not used to thinking about what she wants, let alone asking for it. She doesn't even buy herself things unless they're absolutely needed. ]
Well, yeah. That's a completely different situation.
( Now he's thinking about sex and he wants it and he wonders if Steph didn't do that on purpose. He comes up behind her to evaluate the painting. He whispers against her neck. )
[ She laughs, because it worked. Though she pretends to still be focused on her painting, if only to mess with him a little. ]
Sorry, I'm busy.
[ She reaches for his hand with her free one, however, tugging and looping his arm around her waist. Really, when has she ever said no? Especially now that they answer to no one and can do whatever they want? ]
I've done my share of waiting, now it's your turn.
[ Not that she pulls away. And he knows her well enough to tell that she's not actually going to make him wait.
Since settling in Madripoor she's taken to wearing skirts more. A little reminder of the old days, but also because he likes it. (The yoga pants still make their regular appearance when she goes on her runs.) ]
Oh, is that how it's gonna be? I gotta wait because you're in the mood to tease? I'm gonna remember that.
( Bucky slides his hand up her skirt a bit, just his fingertips on her bare thigh, and he tries to lure her into stopping what she's doing and paying attention to him. She knows how he lives and dies for her attention. She has to. )
[ She sets the paintbrush down... somewhere, and with that hand now free, she reaches up to thread her fingers into his hair and tug him even closer. ]
You're irresistible. [ Because she knows he loves to hear it. ] Now shut up and let's fuck.
[ All that restless supersoldier energy has to go somewhere, right? ]
Oh, the great Captain America said the word fuck. I must have really turned her upside down for a word like that.
( He's grinning, though, and he tilts his head to kiss her. It'll never be normal to not have to bend down for it but it still feels right to kiss her, especially when he grabs her hips and hauls her up close to him. )
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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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[ She says it offhandedly, stepping away from him to pick up a brush and start adding in some clouds. Clearly teasing. Clearly knowing that since she's brought it up, he's going to want it now.
She's the same way, though. She's not used to thinking about what she wants, let alone asking for it. She doesn't even buy herself things unless they're absolutely needed. ]
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( Now he's thinking about sex and he wants it and he wonders if Steph didn't do that on purpose. He comes up behind her to evaluate the painting. He whispers against her neck. )
I could do that right now, actually.
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Sorry, I'm busy.
[ She reaches for his hand with her free one, however, tugging and looping his arm around her waist. Really, when has she ever said no? Especially now that they answer to no one and can do whatever they want? ]
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Uh huh. Well I guess I just have to wait for my devious plans, huh?
( Steph has never said no to a challenge, has she? )
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[ Not that she pulls away. And he knows her well enough to tell that she's not actually going to make him wait.
Since settling in Madripoor she's taken to wearing skirts more. A little reminder of the old days, but also because he likes it. (The yoga pants still make their regular appearance when she goes on her runs.) ]
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( Bucky slides his hand up her skirt a bit, just his fingertips on her bare thigh, and he tries to lure her into stopping what she's doing and paying attention to him. She knows how he lives and dies for her attention. She has to. )
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Fuck waiting.
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( Bucky knows it's the second one because he feels the same about her but he loves to hear it. )
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You're irresistible. [ Because she knows he loves to hear it. ] Now shut up and let's fuck.
[ All that restless supersoldier energy has to go somewhere, right? ]
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( He's grinning, though, and he tilts his head to kiss her. It'll never be normal to not have to bend down for it but it still feels right to kiss her, especially when he grabs her hips and hauls her up close to him. )
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