bionicstaringmachine

( from here )

Because I'm not pretending. Sam knows a lot of people and the ones I know, I already have saved in my phone.

[ There's a frown at his phone and it's hard to tell if it's his typical expression or if it's because he wonders what Sam is up to. ]

If this is about not answering his texts back, you can tell him I planned on getting around to it eventually. I've been busy.

[ No he hasn't. But it's easier to bend the truth over text. There's a beat, deciding to bring it back to this person so he can figure out who they are. ]

How do you know Sam?

Edited 2024-03-03 07:26 (UTC)

Because Sam lives in the woods?

[ This is not making sense. Sam texts? Sam the giant she can maybe understand because he has opposable thumbs and everything, but Sam the wolf, unlike her brother, is an actual wolf, not a wolf shifter. ]

Is this some kind of joke? Are you pranking me back after I accidentally set you on fire?

[ It was an accident! And it was just Fenris' tail, not all of him... ]

[ What the ...

He stares at his phone for a moment, his expression showing his clear confusion that's built with the latest response and then something else happens --

He laughs. He laughs at the idea of Sam living in the woods and then as it becomes clear that he and this mystery person think they're texting someone else. ]

I don't joke. [ He jokes. ] But I think you meant to text someone else earlier and I got it instead.

[ There's a beat, as he tries to figure out introducing himself. He's said James 'Bucky' Barnes so often while trying to make amends for what he'd done as the Winter Soldier but he doesn't know this person ( probably ) and now it's time to put things back on the right foot. ]

I'm Bucky.

[ She's convinced it's a prank, or at least at first. But a repeated check of the number reveals that, yes, she'd messed it up in the first place. Oops.

She thinks to simply dismiss the conversation, yet she finds she can't bring herself to ignore it. Whoever this Bucky is, he's not from the Ironwoods. He's from outside. She's never really talked to anyone outside of her family and those who live in the woods.

It's kind of exciting. ]

Sorry about that, I thought I was talking to my brother. But the Sam I know does actually live in the woods.

I'm Hel.

[ When he introduces himself he knows he’s taking a chance. This person can write him off ( he wouldn’t blame them, he’s not the person they were trying to text after all ) or he could … make a friend? Acquaintance. He’ll go with that, since he doesn’t have many he calls friends these days, even less he’ll actually say it out loud for.

He doesn’t think too hard about about the breath he releases when he gets a text back. Or how it’s a distraction from not sleeping and the loneliness he was just briefly thinking about. ]

Nice to meet you, if this counts as meeting. I never know how all this stuff works these days.

[ “All this stuff” meaning how to meet people, what is considered the way to go about it when before he knew exactly what to do, could do it without thinking. Now he needs Sam and misdirected texts to meet people he’s not trying to make things right with. ]

Do you live in the woods too? You mentioned something with claws.

You just got a phone too?

It does so much, I don't even really know what to do with it.

[ Though give her a minute to figure it out and she's going to start prank calling random people. For now, though, she's learning how to text, and it seems to be going quite well, considering how it all started. ]

I do. Not with Sam and the others, but I have a nice little cottage by a hill. [ If that makes her sound like some kind of witch, she probably is. Technically. By human standards. ] But the claws, I was talking about my dog. His name is Garmr. He's a good boy most days, but today he had too much fun outside and came home wanting all my food.

[ She'll send a picture if asked. She just doesn't know it's a thing yet. ]

Kind of. I don't really use it much, so it's still new for me.

[ The flip phone he gave his shrink was more of a decoy phone than anything, but he knows how to use a touch screen even if sometimes it was a little tricky when he grabbed for it with the wrong hand.

Despite not being face to face, he can feel the slightest hint of a smile in knowing he's not the only one trying to figure out technology - something that had only seemed like a dream or something from the future whenever he was going to science expos before, now it was a reality. ]

You got a picture of him? I don't have any pets yet.

[ Picture? Right, okay, she knows what pictures are, but she's never really had any reason to take them. She hardly even looks at a mirror, so selfies are out of the question; as for the view in the woods, why bother when she can just look at all that beauty?

It takes a bit of fumbling, but finally: ]

Oh now he's pretending to be a good boy. Don't believe him.

[ If he looks like a wolf, it's because he is. But he isn't a shifter, so she calls him a dog, while Sam and her brother and the rest are wolves. ]

Well yeah, you threatened him with a steak knife.

[ See? He does know how to joke! ]

I'm surprised the steak knife warned him off, with the size of him. Good thing you're in the woods.

[ The part of him that's the old man wanting to get away from the world is a little envious of the space ( and calm, the peace ) that probably provides but then the part of him that's trying to connect with who he was before would miss the city even in the times it can be overwhelming. ]

Hopefully you got that text to your brother after we realized what happened.

And who taught me that?

[ Oh, she likes him! He's funny. Or she thinks he is, anyway, based on just these texts and... call it instinct.

Until he (he's a he, isn't he? since a buck is like, a male animal) sees her for what she truly is, anyway. But he's not going to be stupid enough to want to come to the Ironwoods. Nobody ever comes to the Ironwoods. Humans say it's haunted, and the wolves and the giants will tear anyone they deem a threat apart. ]

I did, but he's no fun to talk to.

Sounds like a good teacher, whoever it is. You'll at least keep one around near meal times in case it happens again.

[ It's easy talking to Hel ( and he's realizing he doesn't know if Hel is a man or a woman, as his brain tries to call Hel a 'she' ) but it's probably because they're strangers and they're not face to face. He doesn't have to explain why he's wearing gloves and come up with some bullshit reason like having poor circulation. And he doesn't have to explain the vibranium arm and either filter information about himself or pretend he's joking when he makes references about being old. ]

You're the first person in a long time to make it sound like talking to me is fun. I'll try my best to keep that up.

What's Hel short for?

I don't need to keep one under my pillow?

[ She's not had to, but... it's not a bad idea, actually. Maybe she should. More humans have been getting lost in the Ironwoods lately, though whether they are just stupid or they've been deliberately trying to infiltrate, well, she doesn't know for certain. Neither the wolves nor the giants have said anything, but she's not sure they've even stopped to ask. ]

Why not? Are you an awful person, or just a bore?

No no don't tell me, let me guess! But answer me first: what's the worst thing you've ever done in your life?

[ ~~Sorry, she has no idea that question's in bad taste.~~

His question about her name then catches her off-guard. It's supposed to be short for something? Like a cutesy nickname? Or is he asking about her titles? She doesn't have any, not officially, but... ]

Maiden of Hell.

[ Tiny Trickster is her favorite, her dad even made her a certificate, but there's no "Hel" in it, and besides, she can't resist pulling this human's leg a little. ]

Edited 2024-03-10 23:07 (UTC)

Doesn't hurt to have one under there and be prepared. I know I've done it.

[ He just likes to be prepared as a whole, even if he's a civilian now and isn't supposed to get mixed up in things above his pay grade - it still happens.

The huff of laughter when she asks if he's a bore, that immediately chokes in on itself when she asks what's the worst thing he's ever done in his life. It's not even a question he can assume is aimed to go right for the jugular or a kick to the stomach - but it easily makes him stare at his phone for a long moment. ]

Depends on if things I've done that I was made to do count. I didn't have a choice, but I still did them.

[ He leaves it at that for now, not going any further but it probably paints a decent picture about him, at least from where he's standing. ]

Were your parents in a cult?

[ Depends on if things I've done that I was made to do count. Yikes. That sounds sketchy for someone with a funny name like Bucky. ]

Were your parents strict and they made you do horrible things, or was it murder?

My parents HAVE a cult. [ Her father more than her mother, really. Though, come to think of it, her entire family's made it to the humans' myths... does that mean they all have cults, even her brothers? Even her? ] I'm pretty sure you at least have heard of my father.

[ Narrator: He has definitely heard of her father. ]

Nah, not my parents. They were good people. [ He just doesn't talk about them much or any of his family for that matter. ] It was the other one. [ Beat. He really oughta clarify that, huh? ] Murder. My mind wasn't my own for a long time, but I remember what I did. I don't do that anymore.

[ He's been pardoned of the crimes he committed as the Winter Soldier, even if it doesn't mean his record is expunged, those crimes can't be held against him any longer. Now it's just about making peace with that part of his past ( and be accountable for it, despite the programming ) and move forward with his life.

But it's probably a helluva lot easier to talk to someone who's technically a stranger, over text, about that past. At least the subject of her parents manages to take some of that spotlight off of him, now that he's curious about who her father is. ]

Who's your dad?

Edited (accidentally used parentheses instead of brackets) 2024-03-18 06:19 (UTC)

[ She can't say she's surprised, after all that advice about knives. But not having your mind as your own, and for a long time? That's just horrible. She doesn't even know this person and she already feels for him. ]

I guess I shouldn't complain about Father not wanting me to leave the woods.

[ Mind control magic being freely used out there? Yikes. ]

My father is Loki, Prince of Asgard. The Trickster, the Sly One, the God of Mischief, Father of the Sea-Thread, the Wolf-sire, the Hound of the Roaring Sea of Corpses of the Ale-Gefn.

[ She can go on, really. Her father has a whole list of titles. ]

It's not something that happens a lot, unless you're certain people.

[ He's talking about how this type of thing happens to Avengers and Avengers adjacent people more often than they probably like to admit ( more than once is already too much ). Or if it were conditioned into you because you had no other choice. ]

Your dad is Thor's brother?

WHY do people always do that? Why do you have to be someone's anything when you have perfectly good names and titles yourself?

[ Choosing to call herself Tiny Trickster is one thing. But Loki's daughter? Fenrir's sister? The Ironwoods' Most Wonderful Spinster? ]

It's like joining the Avengers but everyone calls you Captain America's dog.

[ To be fair, the only Avengers she knows are Cap and Thor. ]

You’re talking to the guy who’s also known as Cap’s Best Friend.

[ He knows Sharon meant that to be a pain in the ass, but from that display on Steve’s behalf at the Smithsonian, it wasn’t entirely off the mark. ]

And I’ve at least met Thor, even if I didn’t really talk much to the guy.

For what it’s worth, I didn’t mean any offense by it. I’m not really part of the Avengers so I don’t know much outside the little bit I was there for and what I’ve been told or read about.

[ And he was part of the reason they had that rift between them, but he’s not gonna mention that. ]

Seriously?

[ She was just joking. Mostly. Oops. ]

I didn't mean any offense by it, either. It's just... brothers can sometimes cast really dark shadows, and we'd like to be our own person, you know? I'm the youngest of four. My brothers are all [ Weird. Monstrous. Literal monsters. Er. ] talented. I'm not.

[ Oh no, she's having a pity party with a stranger. It's easier to be honest like this though, strangely enough. ]

Seriously. That or the Winter Solider. But the Smithsonian’s more about me being his best friend, making me sound like some kind of hero.

[ May as well air it all out, right? Between who her dad and uncle are, she might even know more than he does half the time. ]

Sounds like something my siblings would’ve said, if they were around still. But it was a different time back then, I had to do my fair share in taking care of all of them.

So older siblings don’t always gotta be so bad, shadows or not.

You don't think you're a hero because of the murder?

And what's the Smithsonian?

[ She has no concept of geography beyond the Ironwoods. And Asgard somewhere out there beyond a rainbow. ]

Well, Fen did get me a phone. Maybe older brothers aren't always so bad.

[ Okay, her curiosity is piqued. She has to know more about this Bucky, Cap's Best Friend, or the Winter Soldier. But she can't ask her father. Loki's not exactly keen about her meeting boys (or girls) outside of the family. ]

Back then, maybe? I did what I was supposed to. I went to war, fought to try and stop the bad guys. Then the bad guys made me into one of 'em for a while. Now I just do what I can, when I can.

It's a museum. They like to keep old stuff there.

[ Now he is being funny, making a joke at his own expense about being an old man because of the exhibit for his best friend being in one and how he was a feature in it as well. He doesn't even know how old Hel is in comparison to himself, but he was raise with some manners not to ask that kind of thing. ]

Or he's the good one out of the three.

"Bad" and "good" is sometimes just a matter of perspective though. [ Her father is definitely not bad. Just misunderstood. ] You sound like a good guy.

But I might need to let Garmr give you a sniff test to be sure.

[ Now she is being funny. He seems to get it. Even if she doesn't get the "old" jokes... yet. ]

Where is the Smithsonian? I've never traveled outside of the woods. [ Except Asgard, but even then that's not official. She'd snuck over there when her father had been drunk out of his mind, but nobody's supposed to know so she doesn't talk about it. ]

And if he bites me? That could mean he thinks I'm "bad" or just that he's lookin' for his next meal, after you said you had to threaten him with a steak knife.

[ His is a joke as well, even if she can't see the slight upturn to his lips into a smirk. And he won't argue about the "good" and "bad" labels that get thrown around because he's slowly coming to terms with the fact that people might actually view him as a little heroic but then he waits for the other shoe to drop and for them to look at him in horror when they realize what he used to do. It's a daily struggle, but it's getting better the more he tries to integrate himself into the world. ]

Sounds like you need to leave the woods, see some things. It's in D.C. - Washington. I don't know where these woods are you're at, but it's about five hours from here in Brooklyn.

Guess we'll have to find out which of that you are. If you're a bad guy or you just smell nice.

[ Wait, is this flirting? ]

I think I can ask my brother for my address, he goes out into the world more. But I don't think he or my other brothers or my parents will allow me to leave. [ It's a long story. ] Do you have transportation?

I think I smell nice enough, but I don't get a lot of people close enough to me to tell me otherwise. I'll have to hope he doesn't go and rip my other arm off, I don't think the Wakandans will gimme another one right now.

[ The comment about him smelling nice, it kind of gets away from him and he's reminded of how out of practice he is when it comes to flirting, even if that had been the aim. He really does hope her dog doesn't decide to make a meal out of him though. He's sure that will only give Sam more ammunition to give him shit, probably stating that his people skills are so terrible that even a dog doesn't wanna deal with him. ]

I have a motorcycle. But I could probably rent a car or borrow something. [ He actually means borrow, not liberate a vehicle from somewhere with the intent to return it later. ] They couldn't be convinced to give you a temporary discharge? Or would this be like breaking you outta jail?

You only have one arm? [ And he's like, an Avenger? Fighting and all that? ] That's so cool.

[ Oh no, he's offering to break her out. He sounds perfect. ]

More like rescuing a princess from a tower guarded by a dragon in a forest in the middle of nowhere. [ While all that is true, to a certain degree, she hastily adds so he doesn't get some inflated idea about her: ] But an ugly, scary princess.

[ Yes, she's normally this self-deprecating. ]

I have two arms, just one of 'em is a prosthetic.

[ That's the simplest way to explain his vibranium arm without getting too far into it. If they actually meet in person, maybe he'll give up more of the tale then or maybe she won't care. So far it's just nice to talk to someone where it feels kind of normal in spite of the both of them being not all that normal themselves. ]

Sounds like something I've read in a book. You've gotta be shitting me about the dragon, unless these woods are far enough out of the way people haven't noticed it yet.

You don't sound like an ugly, scary princess.

[ She actually has to take a moment to text her brother how she could look things up on her phone because she's not familiar with prosthetics. Then she gently starts to pry him about museums, in a careful, roundabout way to determine where her location is in reference to the Smithsonian. She's stubborn like that when she wants to get something done.

In the meantime: ] That's weird. I like it.

[ Hey, normal is boring! ]

Okay, fine. He's actually a giant snake, and he doesn't breathe fire, but he likes to pretend he does because that scares humans. His venom is more lethal than fire though. Thor's afraid of him because there's some prophecy that he's going to kill him someday.

[ Has she mentioned that the giant snake is also her brother? Not the one who gave her the phone, but another one. And their eldest is a horse. ]

I look like a scary, ugly princess. But I'll wear a disguise when we go out, so I don't make it weird.

Thanks. This one's a lot nicer than the ones I had before.

[ It's easier to say that, than the self deprecating thing about how she might not like it so much if she saw it in person. Sometimes people thought it was cool, other times not. He'll let her reserve her final judgment when ( if? ) they actually meet face to face. ]

Good thing I'm not scared of snakes.

Is the snake part of what's keeping you in the woods?

[ This was a jailbreak after all, so he wonders if that is just part of the measures to keep her from venturing out or if it was just something that was living in the woods. ]

Doubt you'd make it weird. Most people are paying attention to what's going on in their own world to notice other people that are around 'em anyway.

Ha, no. I can outsmart them all if I wanted to. [ The giant snake, the giant wolf, the giants, the wolves, even her parents. Even Odin. ] I just...

[ There's a long pause. Just those dots. Typing... ]

I'm human shaped, but I don't look like you. I'm marked by death. And humans hate ugly things.

[ She's never really admitted that to anyone. Even to herself, she'd always chalked it up to her parents not permitting her to leave because her presence might anger Odin. But deep down, this is the reason why she's never left the woods. She's not sure she can take being rejected by the world. ]

[ Bucky's used to not talking a lot, being the guy who sits there and stares, listening. Texting isn't any different. So he lets the typing dots do what they need to because so far Hel's one of the only people outside of those he knows through Steve, been court mandated to talk to or been on a list for him to set things right with ( there's probably others, but those are the main categories he has to go with ), that he's talked to and he's finding that he...enjoys talking to her? Even if it's through text and not even face to face. ]

I've noticed not a lot has changed in the past several decades that people can be assholes sometimes, but I dunno, some of 'em surprise you from time to time.

And some can have a little bit of "ugly" that they hide from everyone else too.

[ A beat, a pause, since he doesn't really know what "marked by death" means but he knows what can get people looking: ]

If I keep my vibranium arm uncovered they'll pay more attention to that than they would you.

You would do that?

I mean, you don't have to, I have magic and I can hide my face. But that's really kind of you.

[ Maybe he's lying? There's no way for her to tell. This texting thing is so limited. But if he is, truly, Captain America's best friend, then he must at least be a decent human. He certainly sounds like one. ]

Yeah. I'm used to people staring if they realize who I am or if they notice the arm. It stands out a lot.

[ When what he used to do relied heavily on him being quick, efficient, gone as unnoticed as possible - blending in isn't difficult for him but he also knows the ways to bring attention to himself all the same. Someone expressing gratitude to him is still different, even if he isn't as dazed by it as he was before. While she's unaware of it, he nods a little because he doesn't want to call attention to it and instead decides to make it sound like she has options now. ]

Now you can decide if you wanna use your magic or not.

Are you famous because of your arm or because you're an Avenger?

[ What? He'd just so casually said that people recognize him enough that he can shield her from unwanted attention.

Which he's continuously being so kind about. Now she really wants to meet him. ]

Okay. What else will we need? Aside from knives. Snacks?

I’m not an Avenger. [ He stands by this, that he’ll get involved and do things if it turns out Sam ( or other Avengers adjacent persons ) needs him or he gets wind of something going on near him but he’s not an Avenger. ] And I’m not famous but sometimes I get recognized.

[ People who spent a lot of time looking at that display in the Smithsonian or pay attention to history, mostly but he’s not trying to get into all that right now. ]

What kind of snacks do you like?

[ Not an Avenger is... good? Her father might be less opposed to her hanging out with him. Although leaving the Ironwoods to go on a roadtrip with him doesn't make a very good first impression. Should she tell him her father might turn him into a frog if they get caught?? ]

Just a funny man with a funny arm then.

Chocolate and berries. Mostly berries, it's easy to get a lot of that around here. But there must be all kinds of snacks out there.

You think I'm funny? Or do you mean different?

[ He doesn't really need the answer, she's still talking to him and that means she's not put off by him yet. He can see if meeting her in person does the trick on that or not. ]

Those aren't bad choices. I guess it depends on the chocolate, since there's a lot out there. Meat, cheese and chips are easy to get for snacks.

I think you're funny. And nice. And different, but that's okay. I'm different.

[ She's thinking that too, so they're even? ]

Even human meat?

[ SHE'S JOKING she doesn't eat human meat but okay she can mess with him a little, she can't help it. ]

What?

[ He's squinting at his phone again, fairly certain she isn't being serious but they did just meet. ]

You're shitting me, right?

I don't think the place down the street from me has long pig.

[ See, he's funny! ]

Okay, I'm shitting you. I mean, if I was really planning to kill and eat you I wouldn't tell you, that's just dumb. And rude.

I know we just met and all, but you don’t strike me as either.

But I’m gonna wonder if your dog starts sniffing at me like he’s ready to eat me.

[ If humans are this nice, why does everyone in her family say to be wary of them? ]

I try not to be rude. But I will fight back if anyone tries anything funny.

Make sure you don't smell like steak then!

That's not rude, that's just being smart. Like what I said about the knives, having 'em nearby if you need it - you're just sticking up for yourself.

[ He knows a lot about that, between going in and resolving some of Steve's fights ( and seeing him after he'd gotten a decent throttling ) and just generally finding it hard to put his guard down in most cases because he was ready for a fight. ]

Guess I won't shower with some steak before I meet him.

I'll make sure you're properly introduced so he doesn't try to eat you.

Okay my brother says our coordinates are 66.3937° N, 22.5727° W. [ Otherwise known to Midgardians as the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in Iceland, second in a list of most remote places on the planet. ] Is that anywhere near the Smithsonian?

Not even close.

You're on a whole other continent. This jail break's gotten a little more difficult. We'll need more snacks.

[ And it's not so much appropriating - no, borrowing - a vehicle to get to her and now it involves more plane travel. Unless: ]

Do you know how to make portals?

[ He knows her dad and uncle are gods ( or something like that ) and the sorcerers can travel through portals ( having done it himself ) so it's worth an ask, just in case. ]

I haven't tried. But Father has a portal he uses to get here from Asgard and back. Maybe I can make it take me elsewhere.

[ At the risk of alerting her family to her departure. But what's life without a little danger? ]

Can you pick a place that's close enough to you and tell me all about it? I need to be able to picture it clearly in my mind. [ Or, you know, send her a picture. Sorry, she's new at texting. ]

Yeah, I can do that. Gimme a minute.

[ Alright, it's more like three or four minutes in between that first text and what would come next, because he figures a public spot outside of his apartment is a better meeting spot than anything.

A picture follows, because it's probably better than anything he might be able to muster up with words to describe it. He doesn't know how these portals work and if giving her bad info might land her somewhere else entirely. ]

That clear enough to picture in your mind? I don't take a lot of pictures.

Thank you. I should be able to make it work, with a little practice.

When do we leave? What do I need to pack?

[ She's never been on a roadtrip before. How exciting! ]

Depends. How long do you think you gotta practice?

[ He's not rushing her, just like he didn't want to give her a shoddy description of somewhere for her to picture and it land her somewhere she didn't mean to go, he also figures it isn't something that ought to be rushed? Well, guessing is more accurate. He knows fuck all about magic beyond what he's read in the fiction books he reads ( and he hopes it's fiction anyway, but with the world the way that it is, it's possible it's not ) and the little bit he's been exposed to in his own life. So, not much hands on knowledge and more making a guess on what seems reasonable when it comes to magic. ]

Clothes, stuff that'll keep you occupied if you get bored of me. Sometimes I don't talk a whole lot, but I'm good at listening.

Edited 2024-04-02 06:36 (UTC)

I'm not sure. I'll give it a try tomorrow and see how wrong it goes.

[ She knows she really shouldn't rush these things, but she can't help being excited. Somehow, the thought of going out into the world with someone who isn't her family or one of the many inhabitants of the woods (with the exception of Garmr) is something she finds herself looking forward to. There's so much danger and uncertainty. Who knows what will happen? Anything can happen. ]

Lots of books then. I can read them out loud and you don't have to talk. [ She likes stories! ]

And I'll know if you don't text me that it went incredibly wrong.

[ Meaning, he hopes that it doesn't and that she ends up making it through her tries in one piece. She has people who care about her, so he wouldn't want her getting hurt on account of him or anything. Not when there's no real time table on any of this. Smithsonian's not going anywhere, after all. ]

Hey, I'll talk. I just don't always know what to say. What kind of books do you have?

I'll write your number down and find a way to text you. Unless I end up in another realm. Or back in time. [ Which can be possible, theoretically. Magic's weird like that. ]

Stories and history, mostly. [ But not the Midgardian kind. ] Do you like books too?

It could send you back in time? I only knew about there being a gem that could do that kind of thing. Or the Quantum Realm.

[ Not that he knew a whole lot about either of those things outside of what he'd been told by others, as opposed to a first hand experience with them. It has him realizing despite some of the things he's seen and done in his life, there's still a lot of shit that he is entirely unaware of. ]

Yeah. Mostly science fiction and fantasy, but I'll read a mystery if there's one I think I'll like. I've been trying to catch up on ones I missed over the years [ Decades, he means decades. ] and I was told I should check out audiobooks but it doesn't feel right.

I don't know for sure, but it's a possibility. Space and time are intertwined in ways we don't really understand. [ Case in point: the TVA. ] And magic can be unpredictable.

[ She's surprised that he reads. She's somehow had the idea that even if he was only Avengers-adjacent, he'd have been busy doing whatever it was people like the Avengers did. Then again, he's offered to take her on a roadtrip, so he can't be too busy? ]

What are audiobooks? Books that talk? [ Close, but she's imagining opening up a print book and voices emerge from it. ]

I don't know too much about magic other than fiction books and the little bit I've been around for. Maybe you can tell me a little while we're on the road.

[ Not only does he want to learn more because he figures why not know ( Bucky, your nerd is showing ) but also because he might not be as confused about the shit that goes on around him. With aliens and people with actual powers and magic, he has a feeling that not every thing that the ones who are left of the Avengers will be going up against in the future are going to be along the lines of the Flash Smashers or dealing with Walker. ]

It's a voice recording of a book, so you can listen to it instead of having to read it. I guess it's kind of like listening to someone read it out loud, just without 'em there next to you.

I can show you a few tricks. [ She can change the color of her hair! And a couple other, more useful stuff. ]

That's really fun. Father used to read to me. He had all these voices and everything.

I'd like that. I didn't get a chance to really see too much of the magic I've been near, there was too much goin' on at the time. It'll be nice to see some when there's not a fight happening.

[ And that means she'll have his full, undivided attention with anything that she wants to show him. He doesn't think he has much to show her aside from the trip to the Smithsonian - his vibranium arm doesn't really do anything interesting unless you're trying to remove it from his body. ]

That's the only way to read a book if you're gonna read it out loud. You gotta have some voices, even if they end up sounding stupid.

Okay, sure. But can you teach me how to fight? Like, properly?

[ She can defend herself with a steak knife but she doesn't have technique. It would be nice to have some finesse. ]

It's not stupid if you're having fun. I think we're going to have a lot of fun. [ As strange as it might be that this outing is going to be with someone she's only gotten to talk to over the phone. But maybe that's also just how the world works these days? ]

I can show you some things, yeah. It's not a bad idea to know a little, just like having a knife near by.

[ He has to remind himself it isn't with the intent to turn her into a killing machine, but to pass on some of the knowledge he has and it's different than when he'd been put up against other Winter Soldiers to test their mettle or when he trained Black Widows. Self defense wasn't a bad thing, it was a smart thing. ]

I'm gonna need you to tell a friend of mine how much fun I am after all of this, 'cause he's convinced I suck all the fun out of things.

[ It's a joke, a lot like how the lighter interactions with Sam tended to be because they liked to rib each other, but he wants to prove to the other man that it wasn't him who was the problem. ]

I promise I won't stab you with it. Or my brothers. Or anyone really, unless they try to stab me first.

[ Or if she feels threatened. Not that there are a lot of things that she thinks are dangerous in the woods. Outside though... ]

Is it your friend Sam? I can text him now if you want.

[ She'll do it, she's not kidding. ]

If you were stabbing me, then you must've saw me as a threat and I'm not gonna pretend that's not a possibility.

But I'd heal fast anyway.

[ Not that he wants to be stabbed by her - it's the opposite - and he won't instantly heal but he also knows he's still a stranger. Something about him could make her think she's feeling threatened and he can't begrudge that kind of response, not when he knows what he's capable of. ]

I'll have you text him after. Knowing him, he'll try to talk you outta hanging out with me and I don't want that.

You, a threat? But you're just a funny man with a funny arm.

[ If everything he's said is true, anyway. She realizes it might not be. They've only just gotten acquainted, and over text too. She really shouldn't be trusting him that much that she's willing to go off on a roadtrip with him... and yet she does. Her instincts aren't yelling at her to back away and run. Weird. ]

How rude! He's just like my brothers. [ Which she supposes are just what boys are like? Trolling, ribbing, pranking... ] Well, he'll just find out that it's very hard to change my mind once I've made it up.

So I got the job.

[ And because he'll inevitably ask how someone who doesn't exist in their world actually managed to pass herself off as American enough to be accepted in the Army— ]

Forged my papers, of course. And charmed the recruiter. He was very friendly.

Knew I shouldn’t have underestimated you, doll.

[ He’s impressed, proud a little but also there’s something else? A need to protect ( not that she needs it, it doesn’t stop the urge ) because he knows war is ugly but he has high hopes that he’ll make it back alive. ]

Recruiter was probably glad to see a dame like you after dealing with a bunch of guys like me all the time.

[ Flirting and self deprecation all rolled into one, who knew? ]

[ She's fought in more wars than you, handsome. Hence her seemingly irrational need to follow him into the Army, as if she could protect him from it. Or maybe she just has a death wish. ]

So you admit it.

[ Just teasing. She knows she made a terrible first impression. ]

He was. Said I'll look good in uniform.

[ In just the uniform, precisely, but she'd smiled and pretended like she didn't get the insinuation. She needed to get her foot in that door so she'd let it slide. Next time, she's going to break noses. And fingers, if they try to get too close. ]

Alright, maybe a little. You got a problem with it?

[ Now he's turning up the punk charm, puffing his chest a little but he's also seen Steve try to pull the wool over on the recruiters' eyes by falsifying his records, so it's equal parts flirting and caution. Maybe it's 70/30. ]

You will, but I'll bet you'd look good in a potato sack.

Where do they have you?

[ She might have seen more war than him, but she knows there's only so far she'll be able to go being a dame and all. He doesn't think it'll lead her to the front lines, anywhere near the infantry. But he could be surprised. ]

Edited (exCUSE you DW, i did choose a 40s icon damn it) 2024-03-18 22:42 (UTC)

I'm just going to keep proving you wrong.

[ Story of her life. But she gets that he's flirting. Mostly. Especially with the potato sack comment. Ha. He's cute. Almost like—

Damn it. Of course she's aware of why she's so drawn to this man. She might've even convinced herself that he is Hodr, in this world at least, and this is all part of Odin's grand plan to continue to make her suffer. That she finds him only to lose him again.

She's not going to let that happen. ]

Back office. My job description is basically to sit behind a desk, smile, and look pretty. And occasionally type something. You guys on the front are really missing out.

[ She's not entirely upset. She does need to learn more about this world and how things work around here, and what better way than to be in the position to access confidential information? Besides, the SSR seems to be on to something. She doesn't know what it is yet, but she has a gut feeling. ]

I might even look forward to it, if it keeps you comin' around.

[ He's stuck on the front lines with a buncha men, Hel. He hasn't had anyone to aim all his charms at in a minute so he can't help it, flirting with her. It keeps his spirits up or something. ]

Sounds like. Not that I'd like sitting behind a desk, doing nothing. That's never been my kinda thing.

That mean I get to hear from you more with this here paper? I think the rest of the boys are jealous I've got someone to talk to other than them.

[ In a roundabout way he's making sure that she knows she can ask him anything as she tries to get to used to things here, because he's helpful like that. ]

What, you miss me already?

[ She's stuck in a foreign realm with no way back home and everyone she loves is dead. Flirting's saving her from drowning in despair right now. This at least she knows she won't fail at. ]

I have nothing better to do anyway. Dame behind the desk, remember? Might as well talk to you. You're at least somewhat entertaining.

[ Yeah, two can play the same game. ]

Between you and me, doll? I'd prefer spending time with you than the ones I'm stuck with these days. But I know how to be patient.

[ It doesn't take him long to work up to bringing out his best work -- not that it's work because he would like to see her again -- but he really can't help it when she's not exactly backing down. But if she told him to, he'd stop ( or try to, god willing ) because he was a gentleman like that. ]

Only somewhat entertaining? I'd show you some real entertainment but we're lacking a bit here at the moment. I'll make sure I owe you, when I see you next.

Edited (dw why do you do this to me and not take my 40s icon selection?!!?) 2024-03-20 06:30 (UTC)

That makes at least one of us.

[ Patience is not her middle name. Case in point: this harebrained scheme to infiltrate the US Army. She's not even sure what her endgame is here. Or at least, that's what she tells herself. Not that it matters. Like him, she can't just sit around and do nothing. She has to be moving, doing. ]

And what sort of entertainment would that be? Poetry? Dancing?

[ She does enjoy bearing witness to a good flyting. Dancing is more communal where she's from, but she enjoys that too. ]

Hey, I didn't say I was any good at it.

[ He's teasing, because he can be patient enough when he needs to be. He's had plenty of time having to deal with the pain in the ass that is Steve Rogers ( along with his three siblings ) that he knows how to be patient when it's needed. ]

I was thinking dancing. You any good? I'm not much for poetry myself but maybe we could find something.

Too bad we can't find another science expo like the one we met at. I'd have to take you to another.

You sound like trouble.

[ A red flag to most people, but to her, it's a bright beacon. She can't help it. She's made of the stuff. ]

I haven't danced in a while. That would be nice.

Maybe there'll be more when the war's over. So you can't die until then, that'll be very disappointing.

I'm usually the guy keeping others out of trouble. I might know how to find it better 'cause of that.

[ Flirting isn't much trouble, even if it might be heavy flirting as things carry on. The stupidest things he's ever done are usually in the name of impressing a girl, as he recalls using money he needed to get back home to try and win a girl a bear. ]

Didn't plan on dying, but now I gotta hang on since I don't wanna disappoint you.

What dances do you know? They have different ones where you're from?

And then got in trouble instead, I bet.

[ He speaks her language. This is wonderful.

Of course, there's a part of her that's screaming in warning, that she shouldn't jeopardize another poor soul given that she already has a track record for ruining other people's lives, but... she can't help holding on to whatever this is she's found. She hasn't smiled, hasn't laughed, in a long time.

I won't let you die, she wants to promise, but didn't she fail the last time she did? ]

I don't know what they're called, we didn't really have names for them. We just danced around fires for the most part. Though there was this one partnered dance the Fae liked. Very intimate, lots of touching.

When I couldn't talk myself out of it.

[ He's not a stranger to smooth talking be it to keep a fight from happening or when it came to talking to a dame. She's still flirting with him, so he takes it as a sign that he's still got it over paper too.

It helps keep his mind off the shit he's seeing here, on worrying about what Steve might be getting himself into and about his family back home, on if they're doing alright. ]

Maybe you can teach me that one and I'll teach you the Lindy Hop.

Are you sure you can handle it? It's really intense.

[ She's not shitting him. The Fae are a lascivious bunch. Their annual festival is just one huge orgy.

Okay, maybe she's shitting him. A little. She's not really going to jump him or anything. Maybe. ]

Why is that the name? Am I going to be Lindy, and you'll be hopping?

Now it sounds like you're doubting me. Looks like I have something to prove.

[ And while it might be flirtation, it's also because he's had enough practice dealing with stubborn pains in the ass that he's capable of playing the part a little himself when it comes to not letting her write him off just yet. ]

Lucky Lindy, he "hopped" the ocean. It's swing dance and probably not as intense as your one dance, but I'm promising you that you'll have fun.

Looks like you have two things to prove. [ That he can handle her kind of dance, and that his kind of dance will be fun. Too bad it's going to take a while yet before either of that can happen, though.

Unless she finds her way to the front lines. Unlikely as a woman, since they seem to be very particular about that. She could glamour herself as a man, but then what? There's unlikely to be any dancing. ]

What do you have for entertainment there, then? I don't suppose you and the lads go dancing.

I'll knock your socks off, doll. Just you wait.

[ If there's one thing he tries not to be, it's be all talk. He likes to see through with the things he'll say he'll do and he especially wants to see it through when it's a promise made to a dame. ]

Write letters sometimes, read a book, tell stories. Play cards and gamble a little, to make it interesting.

[ from here ]

What, you're tellin' me you like me for my personality?

[ More teasing. He has to, to be able to let the conversation they're really having to settle there for a moment in the background so he can deal with the battle of wills going on inside of him. The part of him that doesn't want to kill versus the part of him that wants Hydra to be gone completely. It's not just for him, it's for Steve, it's for what Hydra took from them and others. He wants to hit 'em once for him and then another for Steve and then keep going until there's nothing left. Of them, assuredly. Of him, maybe. ]

Yeah, I do. I'm not gonna let anyone else do this but me. And if we try to save some, we end up letting SHIELD know who you really are. Peggy and Howard can only do so much, they've got other people involved now. [ Because they're getting old now, the old guard is crossing soon and that means others involved they don't have the same history with. ] And I don't wanna owe them too many favors.

Nah. I'm just here for the sex.

[ Teasing, but it's also not entirely untrue.

She gets it all — his internal struggle, his desire to take Hydra down, his concerns about her, not wanting to owe people favors. She hates the thought of not fighting by his side, especially after having done that for so long, but she also understands why he insists upon it. (Or so she thinks, anyway.) ]

Then it sounds like we have a plan.

[ He might be going at it "alone" but it's still a we thing. ]

What else do you need?

Now making up for all the time apart makes sense.

[ 'Time apart' is putting it lightly. There was the lack of time alone together during the war effort - he couldn't clear out a tent or get them put on the same mission too often, then he was captured by Hydra and became the Winter Soldier - it took time for her to find him and then once she did, it hadn't been a quick process where he felt at ease with himself enough. ]

You. I don't know how this is gonna play out and how I'm gonna feel about myself after, but knowing you're there after will help.

[ While the fear of the Winter Soldier resurfacing is always going to be there, it's not the forefront of his mind when he says that. He needs her there because he knows that no matter what he chooses, he's probably gonna need her to help put himself back together after and he feels something, almost like a twist in his gut at how unfair that is to her, but she's always managed to put those pieces back in a way that it won't immediately splinter again when it's touched. ]

You're only just figuring that out? I thought that was why you stuck around.

[ Still teasing, but there's a lot of truth in that too. Sometimes the mind forgets, but the body remembers. She knows that better than anyone. ]

I'm not going anywhere. [ Though she'll be ready to go after him in case things get dicey or the plan doesn't work out. She's never without a plan B, even if he insists on doing certain parts of the plan alone. ] Do you want me to bunker down in one of our safehouses? Would that help you focus on the mission?

[ What she doesn't say is: where would she even go? This isn't her world. The Tesseract is safe with SHIELD, which means she doesn't even have a purpose anymore. She could just go sleep for the next hundred or so years and wake when the Tesseract is in peril again.

He's all she has. As unfair as that is to him. ]

Just because my mind was broken doesn't mean by body was, you know.

[ Even if there was a period there where he was afraid of going further than light affection. If things got too heated, he'd pull back and need to put that distance there, because he didn't want to do something he'd end up regretting. While it wasn't like he could really do much to her in the long run, he knew he wouldn't have been able to forgive himself if he hurt her all the same. Now, that's not a worry but he remembers when it was. The difficulty that was there when he couldn't trust his mind enough to allow his body to be close to her. ]

One of the safehouses, but not too far away. I don't wanna have to travel too much to find you after. Keep a bag ready, just in case.

[ It's not because he thinks she'll need to travel alone, it's because he hopes that after this, even with the safehouse, they might need to put a further distance between them and SHIELD even just for a little while. He doesn't know how this will play out and if his actions will align with their way of doing things or not, even with Peggy and Howard there. ]

I know.

At least we don't have to commandeer a tent now.

[ They'd gotten good at staying off the grid, establishing several safehouses and backup plans just in case they get separated. They've thankfully never had to be alone much or for too long, though she knows part of that is because the last time they'd had to go their separate ways, well, she'd nearly died.

She touches her burned cheek at that flicker of phantom pain, but drops her hand quickly and shoves all the other thoughts aside — thoughts of the world she'd left behind and what might still be coming for them. She hasn't told him, but she suspects they'll be back. ]

Yeah, you're gonna need an outlet for that rush of adrenaline. And a bath.

Hey, it worked pretty damn good at the time. I think it was your wards that helped more than anything.

[ It was a simpler time then. But even with everything that's happened since then, he'll take where they're at now. They appreciate what they have more than they did back then - they had practically been kids even if he knew Hel was even older than he'd been at the time - and that's probably why he's so damned determined to keep it.

Because he knows what it's like to have lost it, to gain it back and then fear that he's on the brink of losing it again. ]

Why else do you think I wanna make sure you're away from it but not too far away? I'm gonna need you to help me with both of those.

[ She almost, almost quips that he'll have to come back alive first, but she doesn't want to argue about that again. She'll just have to be ready to jump in if she has to. Hopefully, she won't have to. ]

There's plenty more I can help you with. For one, getting you suited up. Whenever you're ready, Captain.

[ Time might be ticking, but of course she's not letting him leave without a proper sendoff. For luck. And to remind him what he'll be leaving behind if he doesn't come back. ]

[ He's hoping that he can prove that damn track record wrong and actually come back without needing her or anyone else to come in and save his ass. If he can manage that, then he thinks he might be turning their luck around. He knows it's a two way street, the way they worry about each other but he can't help it that he feels like he's given her more than her fair share of it. He might be Captain America, but damn if he didn't want to give her a moment or two where she could breathe easily for a while and not worry about if he's gonna go on a major mission and not make it back again. ]

I dunno, sounds a lot to me like you're not lookin' to get me in the suit. I'm gonna have to give you something to look forward to for when I get back from this, just for that.

Well I first have to get you in it so I can take you out of it, right?

[ Though in actuality it often takes quite a while before they get to that part. They've both almost always needed to decompress after a fight, which mostly involves getting cleaned up and comfortable and just... holding one another. It's usually much later when the playful intimacy comes in. When it feels safe enough. Not just safe from their surroundings, but... safe enough that they can't hurt the other, accidentally or otherwise. ]

Are you, now? You're gonna, what, remove all your weapons before you get back in here so we don't have to keep stopping every five seconds?

You think it counts much for getting me in it if you're trying to take it off right after?

[ It's never so easy - even before he had his Captain America suit - to just get in and out of combat gear because of how heavily armed they are. The both of them. And sometimes it's hit or miss on what the driving need is after a mission, because while it doesn't happen all that often anymore, he can feel haunted after a fight depending on the feelings that it brings up. He's been fighting for as long as he can remember ( with only brief reprieves from it here and there ) and that's something that leaves marks, scars and a trail of blood that isn't easily washed away. ]

Here I thought you liked that 'cause it builds anticipation. I can make sure the bulk of 'em are removed, just to save some time.

No, but we can pretend that it does.

[ What? She'll take any excuse to get him out of anything... or, well, clothes, at least. She'd like to think she's done getting him out of enemy camps and warzones, though she's always ready to suit up herself whenever he's out on a mission. It might not be in her job description, but it's part of their wedding vows somewhere. ]

Well you said you were gonna give me a treat. And I'll be here barely armed, it's not fair that I suffer and you don't.

[ Barely, because of course she's still armed. ]

Guess if I needed incentive to suit up, it's that.

[ He'll take her getting him out of clothes any day. He's hoping the other things she's gotten him out of, that's a thing of the past - if he has anything to say about it. It's not how he wants the situation going and he tries to avoid it each time if he can, but he knows not a lot is within his power. He might have all the serum gave him and an arm that's even stronger than his flesh one, but it doesn't mean he's all-powerful and capable of doing more than what his body will allow. ]

And if I'm making a show of it when I'm getting the weapons and my suit outta the way?

Oh, a show. That is a treat. I'm in. Take all the weapons you like.

[ He's going to be insufferable and infuriating but that's also like, really hot. She's always enjoyed that side of him, though she's only had glimpses and short bursts of it over the years on account of, well, everything that's happened since the Zola mission. They never really came back from that. ]

[ from here ]

It's okay. The important part is knowin' you want to.

[ It's still flirting, but there's a touch of that self doubt lurking there when it comes to the idea of Hel wanting or choosing anything to do with him beyond the friendship they've been exploring. ]

[ Time to one up him on that self doubt! ]

I want to. But do you?

I can keep the glamour on but you know it's just an illusion. You'll still be able to feel the damage. And it's not just on my hand or my face.

[ She knows it's gross. Like if a really old person had scarred from a severe burn. The texture of her skin on that side is weird, the colors weird. She totally understands if he's disgusted by that. Already expected it, even. ]

I heal fast compared to most people, so there's not any scars or old wounds but the one thing that never healed up was the scarring from where I lost my arm - my real arm. Between their shitty surgery and me clawing at it later there's scar tissue and it ain't pretty to look at or touch either.

[ It's not an outright answer to her question yet, but he's trying to at least show to her that he knows what it's like to be scarred. He knows how it feels to look at himself and not like what he sees ( it's better now, he doesn't feel the urge to punch the mirror or block them out these days ) despite his outward appearance. ]

And yeah, I do. I want you.

Edited 2024-04-22 06:41 (UTC)

[ I want you. Now that's a whole other level to just wanting to do something.

It takes her a while to respond because she's reading the message again and again, making sure that it says what she thinks it says. I want you. Blessed Norns, someone wants her. Someone wants her. ]

I want you too.

[ What happens now? Suddenly texting just doesn't seem enough. The words are there, but they're only words. Does he really mean it? Does she want to find out?

She realizes that she does. ]

Are you home? Can I come see you?

[ No one can say he does things in half measures. Before he went off to the war effort, he was confident, charismatic and knew what to say to get a dame interested in him - to keep them interested. These days it's less, he can have bursts of that confidence, the charisma showing up when he feels comfortable enough and doesn't get in his head about it.

It's why he said it, in no uncertain terms, what he meant. It was less about a wanting to do and more about wanting her. By speaking plainly about it, it took the guess work out and despite the worry that she would end up rejecting him, at least he could say he hopefully put them on the same page. ]

Yeah, to both of 'em. I'm home and you can come over.

You need a picture still for that portal or do you have a handle on it?

[ He's still learning about all this magic stuff and it's not so much to detract from what he said, about wanting her, but keep it lighter since it probably isn't so simple as that given the issues they both have. ]

If you send me a picture of your door I can save you the trouble of walking. But we could get something to eat first, if you want?

[ She's not even really intending to do anything, despite their flirting earlier and her sudden enthusiasm. It just feels strange to talk about something so serious and profound over a means as impersonal as a phone. And she had been meaning to ask him if she could come over, she just couldn't muster the courage to do it without feeling like she's coming on too strong (and potentially get rejected in the process).

She also makes it a point to always give him a choice. They haven't talked about his past much, but she knows enough to be mindful about it.

That, and she's pretty sure he barely has anything in his apartment. She might float the idea of crashing at her place afterwards instead. It's cozier, and she has a proper bed. ]

[ He hasn't known Hel that long in the scheme of things, but he feels like he probably hasn't done enough good in the world to deserve someone in his life who honors his ability to choose. And it's all without him actually telling her these things, he's never shared the whole of his past with her just little things here and there and if she filled in the gaps with looking him ( or just the Winter Soldier ) up after, that was not something he ever asked about. He didn't think it was important to because if she did, it didn't change the way she looked at him.

Sometimes though, sometimes choices can be hard. It's nice to have a wall of choices at a store or a whole menu of them, but occasionally they'll close in on him and panic will bubble up to the surface when he freezes and can't make a decision. Fucking PTSD man, it's the worst. ]

I can send you a picture of the door. I don't have a whole lot in my place, so it's probably not all that comfortable. But I can order us something unless you're wanting to take a walk.

[ He sends that choice back to her. It's his way of saying he doesn't expect anything from her. Wanting her doesn't just come down to wanting something physical because he honestly enjoys just being in her presence. He wanted to see her, to talk to her not over the phone and yeah, he'd been flirting with her but it went deeper than that. ]

[ So he's fine with her showing up on his doorstep. And for food they're either going out or having takeout... or she could bring a picnic to him. Now that's an idea. She'll bring some pillows and blankets and while he doesn't have to use them, they'll at least be there. Maybe a plant too, one he can leave on his windowsill. She'll give it a little magic so it doesn't die if he doesn't feel like watering it.

Blessed Norns, is that too much? Is she allowed to do that just because they admitted they liked each other? Okay, she has to calm down. She'll bring the stuff but she won't impose any of them on him. And she'll check to make sure. ]

I actually cooked something for dinner and I also have some cookies left from earlier, if you want to try them? I'm a pretty decent cook.

[ She's too modest, she's great. ]

Yeah? [ He's got one of those soft smiles he sometimes manages - it's not often so they're pretty rare - and it's probably stupid but he kind of hopes she can tell just from that first response. But then he goes further: ] Not that I doubt it, knowing that Garmr likes to steal your food and all, but I think I oughta judge that for myself.

At least if you bring dinner and get here through a portal, we know it won't be possibly lukewarm at best if we ended up getting something delivered.

[ He doesn't do it often because he likes being able to go in somewhere and pick up his own food - be it groceries or ordering a meal and staying somewhere or grabbing it to go - since he had several decades where he didn't have such luxuries. But sometimes it was damned convenient to just pluck a bag from right outside his doorstep and not have to make idle chit-chat with someone if he didn't want to. He just hates when it arrives and it's not not as warm as he expected it to be.

There's a stretch of silence in his texts to her for a few minutes before she'll see a photo pop up a moment later of his apartment door. It nothing remarkable but hopefully between that and the apartment number, she'll be able to narrow it down. ]

I don't really have anything to tidy up before you come in but I just need warning before you do so I can turn off my alarm.

Edited 2024-04-26 05:55 (UTC)

[ He doesn't see it, but she makes a mad rush through her cottage to pick and choose stuff she thinks she can bring him, before promptly discarding every single one of them because it might be all too much. In the end, she has dinner, cookies, teabags, china and utensils for two, and her pencils and sketchpad piled into a picnic basket. Then she grabs a knitted blanket from her closet that she intends to "accidentally" leave behind — it's a nice blue, like his eyes — and a small potted plant from her windowsill. It's not a cactus or any regular Earth species, but a flower that grows only in the Ironwoods. She hopes he likes it. ]

I'm ready when you are.

[ Then she's nervous again, and she checks her reflection against the screen of her phone to make sure she hasn't forgotten to wear glamour. As much as he's said he's fine with her looking the way she does, she doesn't need to subject him to that monstrosity. ]

[ There's another long beat, a stretch of minutes as he's making sure that he's disabled his alarm because he knows how quick it can be for her to show up after conjures up the portal. That was just bad manners, leaving it up when she would undoubtedly trip it when she shows up and he doesn't want that. It is a mark of how much he trusts her and feels at ease being around her already that he's willing to not only have her over but also disable his alarm, knowing it would remove that early warning of anyone who might be coming around to attack him if they wanted.

It's trust, it's a hint of him showing that vulnerable part to himself that he hasn't shown anyone really, at least not anyone new in his life at any rate. ]

I'm ready.

[ It's a simple text, but he really is waiting by the door and anticipating her arrival that he's aware of any sounds that are outside of the door to signal her arrival and doesn't waste any time in getting the door open for her and ushering her inside once she does arrive.

It's why it's a beat later, as he's helping her by taking what she's brought with her, that he realizes there's more here than just dinner. ]

Looks like you brought more than just dinner and cookies for us to share. Now I kinda wish I had more than just a tiny couch and a chair to offer you.

[ It's served him well so far, he's not really had anyone over but now he's realizing how bare his place is in comparison to most people's and while it was "normal" ( he had no clue what that meant, what 'normal' was for most people ) and part of his adjustment because of who he was and what he'd been for so long, it put him in an awkward position when it came to actually having someone over. ]

Oh, I was thinking we could have a picnic anyway. [ She holds up the blanket she's folded across her other arm to indicate it. ] You know, bring the woods to you. Sort of.

[ When they're finally settled on the floor, she produces the potted plant with a small, graceful flourish that definitely says she's related to the Trickster God. It's a confidence that's been growing in Bucky's presence, though she hasn't really noticed it herself. ] Ta-da! I couldn't take the whole garden, so this will have to do.

[ They should probably eat first, but she feels she has to say: ]

Thank you for letting me come over. I really wanted to see you after... that.

[ While Bucky already knew his defenses were lower when it came to Hel - it had something to do with being able to talk to her easily, not having any pretenses or added bullshit that came to do with who he was and what he'd done while also being aware that he's different and it not be surprising - he can feel them slip a little further down. He's admitted that he wants her ( wants her near, wants her more than just as a friend ) but he can't fully trace how far down that feeling goes. How much he trusts her, how much he cares and how deeply she's already impacting him despite the short time they've known one another. But he can pinpoint just where he softens toward her a bit more between her deciding to bring the woods to him and presenting him a small potted plant like she did.

The only people he's felt that sense of ease and feeling accepted with in recent times was the Wilson family and that was a feeling of family ( Uncle Winter Soldier Sam said ) as opposed to something deeper, something that's quickly moved away from the platonic friendship they've thought this was and into something more. It's been a long damn time since he felt like this and he's still not fully sure how to navigate that dance, but he's willing to try. ]

Thanks, [ He's ducking his head a little, almost sheepish in accepting the offering from her because he's not gifted things often. ] I'll uh - I'll try not to kill it. It's not gonna take much to keep it living, is it? You might wanna get visitations to it, to make sure I'm taking care of it right.

[ It's a sly invitation to have her come over more, if she isn't put off by this whole experience at the end of it. He knows he doesn't have much, it never really bothered him before but now that he's faced with having her in his space and knowing that he wants her to be there, he knows it's not normal for most people. ]

It's not a conversation you wanna have over the phone - text or a phone call. And I wanted to see you too. Not just 'cause of what we were talking about, but since I was thinking about you. I didn't know if you'd want to come over or if it was too outta line to bring it up on my own.

Edited 2024-05-09 05:31 (UTC)

[ It's good that he actually means the invitation because she visibly perks up before also ducking her head a little. ]

No, it's very low maintenance. [ Like me, she almost adds, but she doesn't want to come off as desperate and scare him away, especially now that they've finally gotten somewhere. So she plays along with it: ] But you're right, it might be for the best if I check on it every now and then. Plants can be tricky.

[ She peers up at him then, in that half-coy, half-playful manner she seems to manage around him. The food's ready and spread out between them, but she momentarily forgets about it as her attention is all on him. ]

I've been thinking about you too. [ Her sketchpad will be proof of that, if he goes through it later. ] I just... didn't know if you'd want me to come over. [ She smiles at him, hinting that she deliberately echoed what he said word for word. Then she shrugs. ] I didn't want to make it weird. In case you... weren't interested and, you know, wanted to just be friends.

[ She's not sure why she's nervous again, because she suddenly is, words tumbling out of her. ] You're really kind and... you probably know many others who are prettier and more interesting than me, and I... I didn't want to make you feel like you had to... spare my feelings, or something. [ Which is a long-winded way and still not directly conveying that she's giving him a chance to change his mind. ]

[ They're mirroring each other and that's either a good sign or a bad sign or it's just a sign of knowing that they'll fumble through this together. Bucky can't claim he doesn't have experience with this, with trying to test the waters and figure out how to make heads or tails about what the signs are pointing toward when it came to attraction and feelings and all that. But he hasn't had that experience in eighty years, so he may as well be as new to it as she is. ]

Good, 'cause I wanna be able to see you more, now that I know you can manage a portal outside my door. [ The corners of his lips pull up, just a little in the slightest of smiles, probably closer to a soft smirk when he says this because he knows that's the real reason before adding: ] And to keep the plant from dying. I don't wanna ruin something you gave me.

[ They're not there yet, when it comes to their feelings for each other but he might not just be talking about the plant. She's giving him her trust and her affection and that is not something he's taking lightly, because he doesn't want to ruin either of those things. He's giving her those parts of himself as well, allowing her in and he's trying to do his best and not take those step backward in retreat because it's new for him. ]

I don't know who you think I know, but I don't think any of 'em are prettier or more interesting than you. [ He's looking at her dead on as he says this, because that's the important part of it all, behind the talk about sparing her feelings. ] I wouldn't have told you that you could come over, if I was just tryin' to spare your feelings or if I wasn't interested. I don't do that. The history books might talk about me being a flirt, but I only did it with women I was interested in.

[ There's a beat, as he makes sure she isn't looking down or away or trying to put her attention on something else - like the food that they had sitting, untouched - because he knows he tends to lean on props like that when they're available to him and he doesn't want to expose those vulnerabilities more than they already are. ]

I flirt with you 'cause I'm interested. I want you here, 'cause I'm interested. I later texted that asshole who thought I was you, telling him to lose the number, 'cause I'm interested.

You are so weird.

[ But that's a good thing, because so is she. She's a sheltered little witch who looks half-dead without the glamour, who's been so out of touch with the world she's almost no different to this man out of time. And while she still can't believe someone like him is truly interested in someone like her, she's sure as hell not pushing him away.

With her non-disfigured hand, she reaches across the space between them for his flesh hand — her left on his right — and squeezes his fingers gently. Her face feels hot from all the nice things he's said, but she's not looking away. She fears that if she does, this will all end, like it's just some spell and it'll be broken if she gets distracted. She doesn't want this to end. ]

I'm glad you're interested, because I really like you, Bucky.

[ She never even thought she'd like anyone in this way. Like, sure, Fandral was charming, and Hodr was kind of cute, but neither of them have ever elicited feelings of this nature from her. She cares about Bucky; his happiness, his life, his freedom to choose. But, more importantly, he makes her feel cared for and happy and alive. ]

What's weird about that?

[ He's scoffing just a little, acting like she's talking about the way he feels like he poured his heart out to her just now because that's...honestly what it felt like. He isn't the kind of guy who uses a lot of words in most situations, at least not if he can help it. He's not as monosyllabic as a whole like he used to be, but he still doesn't talk a lot unless the occasion calls for it.

This was one of those occasions.

It's important she knows that he's interested in her, that he's not just saying these things to say them or to be nice and kind because he's not the kind of guy who leans into that kind of thing. Only certain people really get to see his kindness or if he's in the middle of a mission and needs to try and be reassuring but that's about it.

He's squeezing her fingers back just as gently - and briefly glad she chose his flesh hand instead of the vibranium one - even if it's no different for him to be mindful of himself when he's using either hand due to the serum giving him that added strength, he still tries to be a little more gentle when it comes to his non-flesh hand.

A beat later and he's wetting his lips, a movement that he didn't really think of but then he finds himself looking down at her own before bringing his gaze back up to hers. Well, now that they have it out of the way that they're both interested in each other, it's not as bad that he's thought about kissing her a time or two now and waved it off because it wasn't what friends do. ]

The food's probably getting cold but uh, [ He's shifting in, a little closer to her in how they're seated, just getting rid of a little bit of that space. ] I really wanna kiss you. That alright with you? [ He leaves it there in her court, with the slightest of raises of his eyebrows up toward his hairline, because he's not going to bring her in and kiss her without her giving her full consent to it. ]

[ Oh no, did she offend him? It wasn't that she thought he was lying or anything, it's just— ]

I just meant you have weird taste! [ That... doesn't really sound any better. So she points to herself, for emphasis. ] Most people don't like me. [ But he's not most people, hence why she quickly adds: ] I'm glad you like me, even if I'm weird.

[ She's turning a little red now, both pleased by his admission and embarrassed by her dumb reaction. Yet despite all their flirting and what they've already said to each other, she's still visibly shocked when he declares he wants to kiss her. ]

... Wow. [ She blinks a few times at him, then ducks her head as she lets out a flustered laugh. But she doesn't release his hand, her fingers even squeezing his again. ] That's... that's a first. [ More than the emphasis on the really, he'd actually asked. He didn't just swoop right in and do it — not that she would've minded, since it's him and not some rando in a bar who'd name her 'hot hoodie girl' on his phone. Or maybe Bucky's just wary that she's going to stab him with a steak knife if she's spooked.

She gazes back up at him, suddenly hyperaware that he's moved so much closer to her, and she feels the temptation to simply obliterate that distance and initiate the kiss. But just as she starts to lean in, she hears that treacherous voice of her insecurities, reminding her that he might not like what he discovers, as well as the sensible voice of what might be her conscience, reminding her to respect his boundaries. Wanting to kiss her did not automatically mean he wants to be kissed. She has to give him the space to pull away if kissing her turns out to be too weird or gross.

What she does instead is push away the basket sitting between them to the side (thankfully their food's still all there and she hadn't begun unpacking) with her free hand, and saying with a grin, as she scoots closer to him: ] I know a heating spell. How did you think I ate leftovers without a microwave?

[ Still, when it gets to the point that their lips are just about to touch, she places her hand against his chest to stop him. ]

A-Are you really sure about this? You... you might just be disappointed...

[ She's not turned her head away though, and it's clear on her face that she wants this too. ]

[ He's slowly realizing he probably should've told her a little more about why he is the way he is - when is a good time to tell a woman you like more than a friend and actually want to explore a romantic relationship with that you have issues when it comes to body autonomy and consent? That you don't like contact with people you don't know enough to warrant that contact - unless it's a kid or someone who's in hysterics because of being a hostage or something, then he can make a small exception for that - and don't let people past certain walls because it keeps them out? How do you explain that the reason you don't have a lot of friends is because it's hard for you to open up after spending about seventy years as a tool for an organization where 'very bad people' isn't even the kind of descriptor that would explain the kind of horrors they were capable of?

He wonders if she noticed how he took a moment to feel comfortable enough to initiate and engage with the small, friendly touches they engaged in over time - helping to lead her through a doorway or a crowd with his hand at the small of her back, letting her take his arm in her own while making sure he stayed on the part of the sidewalk closest to the street, the slow reciprocation of something simple as a hug - because he didn't want to impose himself upon her and also needed to be comfortable himself with those invasions of each other's space.

Right now, it doesn't really matter and maybe he'll be able to backtrack to explain things, not when her lips are but a breath away. If he can feel those little breaths from her, he knows she's aware of that slow inhale and exhale of his own. Just like, with her hand on his chest, she might be aware of that slight uptick of the steady thump of his heart. Not much, just enough to show that he's affected by how close they are.

His vibranium hand came up to cradle the back of her head gently - he's aware of how gentle, while hoping the metal doesn't feel weird against her hair - and even as they are nose to nose, his brushing against hers just slightly he says it again: ]

This alright with you?

[ He's waiting, even with the signs very clearly pointing that she is, for some sort of affirmative and once he gets it - a nod, an actual uttering of some confirmation - that's when he closes that slight gap between them. His lips move to hers, a soft, gentle press to ease into things. He's already lived this long and doesn't see an end date in sight just yet, so he's not looking to go racing to the end. He keeps to those slow movements, doesn't want to do anything that could spook her in the end, but what was first the light brush of his lips against hers picks up, just a hair, becoming more sure as the moments tick on and he knows this is not an unwanted invasion of her space. ]

[ Is it her magic that lets her feel the beat of his heart beneath her fingertips, or is she simply hearing her own? For despite her fear of this kiss ending badly, she realizes she wants it even more, and that is making her heart want to leap out of her chest. She used to roll her eyes at her brothers for pining and being all lovesick for someone, but caught in this moment, she finally understands.

It's almost hard to breathe with how close they are — noses touching, his free hand at the back of her head, hers on his chest. When he speaks, she feels that slightest brush against her lips, and even that level of contact is so good, she's momentarily bewildered why he's still talking and not kissing her.

Er, right. She'd stopped him, asked if he was sure. Stupid girl. ]

Y-Yes.

[ Her confirmation comes out in a breathless whisper, so soft she's not even sure she actually said anything at all and she didn't just lean in to close the gap. And that's just what it is, at first — a gentle press — yet even then it already feels like she's waking up from a long, dreamless sleep.

Her insecurities linger in the background, of course. You can't hide now, you monster, they try to whisper, reminding her of her scarred face and chapped lips and the ugliness she'd been born with, but just when she thinks she might cave in to that pressure, he is there, kissing her just a little more solidly, a little more certainly. Saving her from herself.

So she holds on to that lifeline he's offered, kissing him back — first with that mirroring tentativeness, then with a mirroring confidence because he's not stopped or pulled away. He'd said he won't do anything just to spare her feelings, so if he's doing this, if he's still kissing her, then somehow, as unbelievable as it might be, he's enjoying it. Emboldened, she follows his lead and matches his movements, falling into a dance that only they hear the music and know the steps to. Her lips part with a sigh. Her fingers start to fist the front of his shirt, and when, in doing so, her fingertips find a sliver of his skin below the hollow of his throat, she seeks more of it until she's gently cupping his cheek.

When they finally stop, her eyes are closed and she's smiling against his mouth. ]

Wow.

[ Then she peers up at him, worry seeping into her expression. ]

Sorry. Was I... was that...

Edited (just noticed my typos lmao) 2024-06-06 11:40 (UTC)

[ Just like her, he's smiling without any guards in place, looking lighter in the moment than he does in his day-to-day. There's crinkles at the corners of his eyes and a warmth in those blue eyes of his, a far cry from the shadows that sometimes color their way in, proving that he's still years away from being fully distanced from his past and actually healed in any way.

It takes him a minute, but he's slowly realizing something. Was that - yes. It was. That was his first kiss since 1943. He was busy overseas, fighting in a war so it wasn't like he had all that many opportunities to find a beautiful dame and lay on the charm for even a few kisses. And with Hydra, his body wasn't his own, he'd been no more than a weapon, a tool to them to use how they see fit. This was something he's initiated, something he's actually wanted and acted upon, even if it had been hesitant at first.

His first thought had been that it was a damn good kiss, but now he's worrying that maybe that passage of time making him rusty meant that he wasn't as good at this as he once was. He's not immediately noticing her own worry, because he's focused on his own.

With his hand still cradling the back of her head, his fingers have tangled themselves in her hair and he's thankful for the smooth nature of the vibranium that makes up his arm, otherwise he'd be worrying he'd snag her hair due to imperfections or because of joints and grooves that weren't as smooth as they appeared.

Slowly, he's reading the worry in her expression and he interprets it as something to do with him and nothing to do with her - even if he knows she's in the same place as him, with that self doubt, being unsure of what someone might see in them but doesn't realize how deep that really goes - so he's trying to make up for what he considers must be a slight when it comes to their first kiss. ]

First kiss in about eighty years? Yeah. I'm kinda rusty, but I'm willin' to give it another go if you think I need to do better.

You're really going to kiss me again? You didn't think I was awful? I've never kissed anyone like that before...

[ She won't even know what rusty feels like because her insecurities have never let anyone get close enough for anything this intimate. Until now.

A part of her thinks she should retreat before this goes any further, before he realizes what a monster she truly is and decide he wants nothing to do with her, before she gets hurt. But her disfigured hand is on his cheek and he hasn't drawn it away. He's smiling like he hasn't smiled before. And he's saying he wants to kiss her again, even after all that? He could be lying, of course, but... he's never lied to her. Why would he start now?

When she feels that spark of courage deep within her, she grabs it and takes the plunge. ]

... so I might need lots of practice.

[ Her fingertips travel lightly down his cheek and across his lips, the touch almost reverent despite the bravado and mischief she'd employed just a moment earlier. Oh, she recognizes just how attractive he is. But that's strangely not what she likes most about him. ]

You can kiss me anytime you want. You don't have to ask. My answer is always yes.

[ A part of him feels bad when it comes to the fact that out of everyone in the world - in the realm, he guesses - she's managed to get him when he thinks she deserves a hell of a lot better than him. It's part when it comes to his own thoughts of his self worth, but also he knows there's a damage to him that's gonna take time. It's not something that he'll snap out of overnight and he hopes that if they do end up having set backs - because he knows despite his programming being gone, he'll always have that underlying fear there's something still there of the Winter Soldier within him, not to mention the fact being who he is can bring attention not just to him but to her as well and he struggles with those things that are wrapped up into his PTSD even if it isn't every day - that she knows it has nothing to do with her and everything to do with him.

But the other part? That part, is grateful that he gets to have this with her. He'll never question how quickly they managed to connect, to find some commonality with each other and build an easy camaraderie that was flirtatious enough to realize they weren't really as platonic as they thought they were being, because despite thinking he doesn't fully deserve this kind of thing and being more of a realist than anything ( he doesn't consider himself a pessimist nor does he hope enough for optimism ), he got her text for some reason. If that doesn't tell him he's got the green light to pursue this, he doesn't know what does. ]

Didn't feel like you needed practice to me, but I'm willing to put in the work for the cause. [ There's a slight pull to his lips in a smirk, but she'll feel that more than see it because of her fingertips moving against his lips. He's trying for his own bravado now, but it stalls a little when she tells him he doesn't have to ask. He's looking down for a moment, sucking in a breath slowly as the hand that was cradling the back of her head now slips down a bit to rest on the back of her neck. Fingers are splayed there, his thumb coming up to rest in that spot just before her ear, right along her jaw. He's holding her gently with his vibranium hand, angling her face in a way that will ensure she looks at him once he brings his gaze back up. ] Yeah, about that -

[ She was so worried about what he'd feel beneath her glamour, how that would make him feel about her, knowing what was there underneath that illusion but his worry was how he'd been a literal monster at one point - being a mindless assassin is monstrous, killing in the name of those who pulled their strings like he were their marionette was monstrous - and having to explain that to her about why it was so important that he was respectful of her boundaries and her own consent as well. ]

I ask, 'cause I know what it's like when people don't ask. Or don't care. Or make you do things that you normally wouldn't wanna do. Not having control of your body, it ain't fun and it's worse when you don't have a choice. I'm always gonna give you a choice.

[ She lets her hand drop when he looks down, suddenly worried that she's upset him. Had she been too forward? Was she being too much?

But he's still holding her close — keeping her close, even — and she realizes that he's trying to say something. So she waits. It's not like this is the first time this has happened, when silence comes between them as he (or she) thinks about what he wants to say, though this feels more important than the other instances because of the kiss. Still, the insecurities persist with their treacherous whispers. Don't take it seriously. He doesn't really like you like that. You know nothing about the world. Or what it's like to fight in a war. You're just a curiosity. What can you even give him?

What he says, however, only draw her closer to him. He would know what that's like, wouldn't he? How awful. Now she wants to wrap her arms around him and hold him close and keep him safe, somehow, but he was just talking about choice and consent and control, so she doesn't. ]

I'm sorry. If I ever make you feel like you don't have a choice, I'm sorry for that too. [ She just squeezes his hand again; they're still holding hands, so it's safe and not overstepping his boundaries right? But it's a blanket apology in case she missteps. This is all so new. ] And thank you. For always being so kind to me. For... sharing all this with me. [ The kiss, his feelings, his past. She's going to treasure them all. ] You didn't have to. But I'm glad you did.

[ Then she smiles, soft and shy and almost sheepish. ] Is it okay if we kiss again? Or we can just eat and I'll tell you my secrets...

Edited 2024-06-09 15:39 (UTC)

No. [ It's a simple, one word answer with a firm shake of his head, even if the movement is slight because he's not trying to move too much to accidentally put any sort of distance between them. ] You've never made me feel like I don't have a choice. I'm not telling you this because of that, it's...so you know what you're gettin' yourself into with me.

[ It's not really a warning off, because he doesn't want her to go. Even if there's just that barest notion within him to push her away, to tell her she deserves better than him, because it's hard for him to really let people in and trust but - he's not doing that. Because while they're talking about choice here, it's her choice to have come here to him, knowing what they might talk about, what might happen.

So he's not gonna turn tail, try to send her off in some dramatic effort to keep himself safe because he doesn't think she's looking to stab him when he least expects it. And something tells him she's not gonna decide one day she's gonna up and leave, either.

Yeah, his self worth might be wrapped up in some other issues in there too, but he's not looking to unload all of 'em right now. He just wants her to understand this one important thing, so she isn't left wondering why he might be a little slow about things, because he wants to do it right by her.

There's a beat, after her question that while he made it clear that he wanted some kind of consent from her before he kissed her, the only confirmation that she has that it's okay they kiss again, is his lips on hers after her mention of secrets.

He wants to know anything about her she's willing to tell him - just like he'll tell her whatever she wants to know, even if it might take a bit to get there - but there's a boldness that wasn't there before. He's determined to make this kiss better than the first, but he's also not trying to toe the line into anything that they might not be ready for. The boldness is to show he does want her, he's not just sweet talking her because he doesn't have anything better to do, but then he's gentle, showing a regard for her that makes it clear he's working through this just as much as she is.

It's only in that space between kisses that he murmurs against her lips: ]

You've got a spell, right? The food and secrets can wait a little bit.

[ from here ]

Is that what we were doing before, dancing?

[ It's a question to point out the curious word she used. A word that seemed familiar, not that he could place why. The white noise of his brain was starting to become less of a plain static and wanted to buzz alive, but he was resisting it. His handler, the scientists - they didn't like it when he had those moments where he asked something or did anything remotely like reacting for a change. So he tries to shove that activity in his brain aside. ]

But I will be there.

You wish. You're too stiff.

[ Which is what they've been trained to be: rigid, efficient, unbeatable. But even with all that drilled into her, she still exudes grace and fluidity. The scientists have chalked it up to whatever she is, but she doesn't know that.

The noise in her head isn't also quite as loud. ]

I'll be waiting.

[ She knows he'll take his time. But, somehow, she's good at standing still. At waiting. ]

[ She doesn't get a response back. He waits, he bides his time as he tries to make her wonder if he's going to show up or not. The Winter Soldier doesn't need the extra training, to listen to another one like him like this but his body doesn't agree with that. It moves almost independently from his mind, the way he moves about the facility they're kept in between missions as he waits for the next time they place him back in his cryosleep.

His boots are heavy but his footfalls are quiet, lacking in sound as he stalks through like he expects to find her lurking around a corner. He knows that isn't the case, that she told him where she'd be and his body reacted. It said he couldn't keep her waiting any longer.

Once outside, he doesn't react to the cold, the chill of the wind or the bite of the snow in the air. The conditions mean nothing to him, he doesn't feel after all. His cold stare locks onto her after a brief beat of searching and once more, something tugs at him - whether it be his mind or his body or both - almost in recognition. ]

Are you ready to lose?

[ For a second, his voice startles her. They barely talk or even acknowledge the other when they pass by. He almost never speaks. But his words send a jolt through her, one that she's unable to comprehend. It's not her body tensing in anticipation of an attack, or the cut of words intended to inflict pain. If anything, the sensation is sharpest in her head, through the noise.

She meets his gaze. It's a mistake, she knows, not watching for his hands or his feet for where and when he might strike, but her body is searching for something. Slowly, she shifts her weight and takes a step to the side.

The start of a dance. ]

Are you?

[ Being who they are, they're trained not to react. To react is to show pain. To show pain is to show weakness. Weaknesses imply they are capable of being broken and that is not of use to Hydra. They are weapons. Weapons do not think, do not feel, do not care. They complete their intended objectives and they report back to their handlers. They exist only when they are told they're allowed to exist and only how they are told to exist.

This...is not something that the handlers, the scientists - Hydra - have approved. They're off mission here, they're doing something of their own accord - be it their thoughts, the actions of their bodies doing something that the mind tells them not to do - it's not approved.

And yet. And yet, when she moves he can't help the way he watches. The slow approach forward and the knowledge that this is the beginning of that dance she spoke of.

He's watching carefully, no longer caring to answer her with words but instead with action. She'd gotten the better of him just the night prior and he's not about to let that happen again.

Quickly and with the only sound being the motion of his metal arm moving through the air, his fist swings to connect, to knock her off balance and begin this dance in his favor with a show of his own brute strength. He doesn't hold one of the knives he usually does - it's tucked away in its holster but it's easily accessible for him - and is strategically trying to get her closer to the edge of the cliff.

Harder to beat him if she falls over. ]

[ Just before he strikes, he'll see her close her eyes. It's yet another mistake in battle, even if it's one that's not supposed to be real and only some form of exercise, and were their handlers watching, they would think that something's wrong with her, that she's broken.

But she doesn't think, only surrenders. She yields to whatever it is that runs through her body — because she can't trust her mind, there's a noise and a haze that permeates her thoughts until she can't think at all. Contrary to what they'd have been conditioned to believe, however, letting go is not defeat, for she smoothly avoids the strike. She steps back as he swings forward. A dance.

When he comes again, she ducks, eyes still closed. His strike is so precise he could probably cut air, but her body feels the vibrations and pivots to avoid them. A moment later she senses an opening, though when she takes it, she doesn't draw a knife or swing her fist at him. Instead she kicks at the ground, at the snow piled by her foot, aiming to send the wet clumps into his face.

All she needs is for him to take one wrong step, so their positions are reversed. She refuses to be the one who falls over. ]

◜continued from here◞

Well, he reminded me that you were dragged out of here after protesting three times before Sam promised he would have you back in time.

[ Yeah, the boy quoted him word for word. ]

And that you're alright, you're just a little held up because you have a surprise for me. Which is aside from the peace offering flowers.

[ ... there it is. There's the catch. ]

[ He's glad he didn't breathe easy about it, thinking that the kid managed to just repeat what he told him to, because it would've been easy breaths that were wasted. He's glad that Vetle did what he could to try and get Hel to be less mad but did he have to go that extra mile in mentioning a surprise? Now he's gotta think of a surprise. And fast! ]

I knew I shouldn't come home empty handed and that flowers don't count for much, as far as apologies go. It's more of an apology from me, but Sam says he's sorry too - in case he didn't tell you that when you talked to him.

[ from here ]

I'm not the only one out here doin' the work. But some of 'em are laying low and we're doing a lot more digging and rebuilding than world saving right now.

[ The Hydra uprising and the fall of SHIELD kind of put everyone in a weird spot, including the Avengers, when it came to the public eye and their opinion and the trust they had in people who went out there and did what he did. And a lot of his efforts have been put in finding Hel or tracking down some of the known Hydra agents like Rumlow who managed to get away. He only got involved in actual world saving activities if it happened to be something that required all or most of the Avengers to be present. ]

Yeah, it's called PTSD.

[ His response might read as dry and while it was in part an attempt at levity, he does have a point. She's dealing with PTSD from everything she's gone through, because even he deals with it and he didn't have his mind wiped and reprogrammed who knows how many times. It's a thought that makes him want to use a little more force than necessary on Rumlow or anyone else he can find from Hydra, even if it's too late to make what was done to her right, but making sure that they pay for it is better than nothing. ]

I'm stronger than I look. You saw I was up and around and it wasn't long after you pulled me outta that river. I can handle myself.

[ He also doesn't sleep all that soundly either. He might not have episodes like she does, but he wakes to random noises, he'll see things he'd rather not - glimpses of the past, events he wishes he could do over - and is often times fitful. ]

Le'me help you.

Edited 2024-07-14 06:13 (UTC)

Isn't harboring a fugitive against the law? Unless you've changed your mind about killing me.

[ Maybe he should just kill her and save everyone the trouble. That'll put an end to her potentially hurting other people, and him having to worry about her. In some abstract, shallow sense, she understands why he seems to be compelled to help her. He's told her about their past. She's observed others — couples — behaving in a similar fashion. She can come to terms with that, make some sense out of the situation.

It's when they're together — even just like this, talking — that she struggles. It's... different, when he's around. When he's close. She feels. She wants. ]

Was I good to you?
When we were together, before.

No. I'm not killing you. And it might be against the law, but helping you ain't. There's people out there who care what I gotta say and I'm gonna make a point to say they need to give you another chance.

[ He'll go to bat for her. Even if his time as Captain America hasn't been that long ( probably only a little longer than Steve by a little while, at this point ), he was also the best friend of the previous Captain America and a war hero, even with the views people might have on SHIELD and the Avengers and their involvements in certain disputes and the destruction that sometimes follows. His word might have some sway, enough to get her an honest hearing and maybe a pardon, if they're lucky. ]

Yeah. Even when we were just writing back and forth to each other, when you weren't on the front lines with me yet.
Wasn't easy when you were dressing up as a man back then. Probably got a few of 'em wondering, even if they didn't say anything.

[ from here ]

Yeah and no, if I'm bein' honest.

[ And that's what she's asking for, he thinks: his honesty. He might have an idea she was looking for a reaction, kind of when she mentioned being topless not all that long ago, but he also knows she's not gonna push him past any boundaries he's not comfortable with.

Just like he's not gonna do something that he thinks might go past her own personal boundaries. He's gonna check first, even if it's not with the actual words of "is this okay?" because he's never gonna want to impose himself on her, not even accidentally. ]

I didn't know you could improve something like that. [ They had things that were marketed for massaging back in his time that turned out could be used in other ways and he has eyes, along with access to the internet. He just never thought of being able to fix and improve a sex toy like that, all with the knowledge she already had. ] And I think I might owe you that dinner.

Good.

[That he's being honest. And it's not really that she's looking for a reaction. Even if there is a piece of her that relishes the opportunity to get him a little flustered. Mostly, she's pretty sure that this is a way of reminding him that she is interested in him in more than just a friendly way.]

You can pretty much always improve something like that.
Oh yeah? Got a craving for something?

[Yes, that is double entendre.]

You'd know if it were too much. I'd probably take a bit longer to respond to you.

[ Because he'd be struggling with what to say, how to say it and right now his only issue is not knowing what's the appropriate way to be feeling. He knows she's interested in him in more than a friendly way, she knows he's interested in her in more than a friendly way. But he knows there's a holding pattern in place because it's been a while.

Even if he's had thoughts about her that go further than the place they're settled at for now. And, he has to hope that if she's making improvements to her vibrator, that she might've been thinking about him too. ]

How? You take it all apart and add something to it, to improve it?
Yeah, I'm hungrier than I thought I'd be, this time of night. And it ain't for Borscht.

You can take as long as you want.

[To reply, or to indicate that he's ready to move them past the game of flirting. Either way, she's not going anywhere. This is sort of a novelty for her, but in a good way. Most of her relationships are better defined as "relationships." There's a certain amount of...emotional and personal honesty that's never been easy for her. But she's trying with him, because she can tell that this means something to both of them.

Even if her thoughts have also definitely strayed beyond the place they've settled at.]

More or less. It has different pulse patterns now.
Those late night cravings can be killer. But it's never a bad time to get some Russian.

[She's not even sorry.]

I dunno, I was always told it was bad manners to keep someone waiting like that.

[ If he means for a response or to go further with things, it's not easy to tell but the statement counts for both, when it comes down to it. His situation might be different from how it would've been doing this dance before, but even he knows when there's a point where he's gotta make a move and see where things go, rather than take too much time. ]

And I'm guessing they're not close to the ones that were already part of it.
They can. And I don't have anywhere near me to get some, unless you know a place. Doesn't have to be delivery.

[ They might both know the place he can get some Russian but his response is his way of saying she doesn't have to be sorry, they both know what they're doing here. ]

I could see that. But in this instance, the person waiting has already expressed that there's no time frame. So you're in the clear.
We do live in a very "instant" society now, but I'm old enough to remember early wireless communication. I'm comfortable with different paces.

[The dance they're in now is definitely in a bit of a holding pattern, but she doesn't mind it. It feels more...anticipatory than impatient. There's a part of her that's almost savoring it, this space where they're just slowly being drawn closer and closer together.]

It only had two "on" settings before, so five is definitely an improvement.

[The way he phrases that is so well worded that she finds herself smiling again as her eyes skim along the screen.]

Look at you. That was smooth as hell.
I'll make sure we both get our fill when you get your Russian.

[Okay, Natasha, that might be a little more akin to setting a brush fire than lighting a match. So to soften it a bit.]

There is an actual Russian restaurant here I love though. They're not open late night, but I'll send you the pin for it so you can drop by one day. Tell them you know me. They'll give you extra pelmeni.

Still doesn't mean I like keeping you waiting for too long.
At least you're not waiting on letters that could take a few weeks or more to arrive. That's gotta be worse.

[ He's never looked at any of this as impatience but...he also knows if he's been thinking about the moves ( even just kissing her, something he's thought of, he can push through the holding pattern to do ) it's bringing it to a point where those thoughts become action and is hopefully worth it in the end. Eventually he won't be stuck in his thoughts and he'll just act, but he wonders when that day will be. ]

Sounds a helluva lot more than just some slight improvements.

[ While he always knew she was capable and could do a lot more than fight her way out of a tough spot, knowing that kind of improvement was made impresses him. Just like how her response to his statement about where to get Russian only serves to turn him on more and while it's just him and Alpine in his apartment, he's wetting his lips and looking around for a moment, while focusing on the idea of how they'll get their fill. ]

Even if it takes all night? You know I've got an appetite.

[ He's not some schmuck coming in off the street, trying to give her a line so whether or not it's smooth, it doesn't matter. He means it, every word of it, even if he's grateful for the way she tries to soften the blaze that's trying to take hold between them. ]

I'm not gonna turn down a suggestion for a place to get actual food, even if it's not open late at night. I can get there during business hours and see what you like about the place.

Waiting that long for letters must have been a real test of patience.
But maybe try thinking of it this way. It's less that you're keeping me waiting and more that we're waiting until the right moment.

[Which is to say - he's definitely not the only one thinking about the moves. And text messages like these are partially a way to dip their toes in the water. To let him know that her interest is holding steady, and so he can feel confident when it's time to take the next step.]

I'm only being a little bit modest.

[Natasha isn't one to downplay her skills - or to overestimate them, really. She knows that she's capable and she appreciates that he recognizes it.

And then his next question as her letting out a low chuckle, delighted by the way it clearly illustrates that he's very much tuned in to this moment. And make no mistake - he's not the only one feeling the potential that's sizzling under the surface.]

Especially if it takes all night.

[Okay, maybe just a few more matches onto the fire. She's no super soldier but she does relish the possibilities inherent in him being one.]

You'll be able to clock it right away. I'll look forward to your review.

That's a thing the modern era's good for, being able to communicate whenever we want.
Waiting for the right moment, yeah. I like that. And it's not gonna take forever to get there.

[ He thinks it's worth pointing that out since while he's not rushing over there to turn this from just talking about wanting to go further in all this, it doesn't mean he's never going to act and make a move. Or let her make a move, whichever comes first. ]

You don't have to be with me. You know I appreciate you showing off what you can do.

[ He'll recognize her capability without fail any moment he's witness to it and maybe he might not understand some of the things she can do - like this, being able to make a technical improvement to her vibrator - but it doesn't make it any less impressive or interesting. ]

Good, because I'm planning on it taking all night.

[ It's a promise without saying the word and even if he hasn't been with anyone in a long damn time, he knows it takes a lot to tire him out. He's old, he can feel every bit of his age sometimes, but he knows he's not doing this with half measures. ]

I'll make sure it's more than just 'the food was good', with it being a place you love.

Is this the first time you admitted something the modern era's good for?
I know. We'll find the right moment.

[Or engineer it. She's pretty confident neither of them will be able to withstand many more late night teasing texts.

She wonders if he knows how rare it is for someone to openly appreciate her skills. Historically, people - especially men that have been interested in her - are more likely to describe her as intimidating. Which she by and large has always considered their problem. It's unaccountably nice to not have to think about it with him.]

Guess I'll have to show off more often, then.
Like by telling you I'll give you a run for your money when you're following through on those plans.

[It's a little bit of a deflection, but she knows she'll find the right time to express that more in depth thought about appreciation to him. And besides, it gave her an opportunity to keep escalating that flirtatious back and forth.]

Maybe you could start moonlighting as a food critic.

Maybe it's the first time it's managed to prove it's good for something without making it more complicated than it's worth.
Probably sooner than we think it's gonna be.

[ He might have been out of practice for several decades, but he's still a man underneath all the other bullshit. A man with a very real attraction to a smart, beautiful woman that he's had a fair amount of dirty thoughts about while also realizing he gives a damn about her more than just a friend and occasional..co-worker? co-conspirator at times? so he doesn't plan on letting this take so long that he realizes he's missed an opportunity. ]

I can appreciate it, you showing off.
Guess that means you're not gonna take it easy on me.

[ And he likes that. Not just the flirtatious back and forth, but the fact she plans on challenging him and making the wait that it takes to get there worth it. ]

Only if they take reviews from grumpy old food critics.

Guess these modern times were bound to get something right sooner or later.
You might be right about that one.

[No, she's positive that he's right about that one. She's just going to haul off and plant one on him one day and it's only going to escalate from there.]

Good to know.
Because I'm never going to take it easy on you.

[Oh, there is absolutely a sense of promise behind the flirtatious back and forth.]

The only two requirements to become a food critic are that you're grumpy and old.

Sooner or later. There's other stuff that's not all bad, but this is the first one.
I'm not making any promises on how right I am, but I know I am.

[ If she doesn't decide to plant one on him, he knows it'll come to a point where he'll be closing that gap himself. He could see them both deciding to go for it when the moment's right and that's not a bad possibility from where he's standing. ]

Guess whenever these plans happen, we're gonna have to cancel anything we've got goin' on the next day.

[ If she's not taking it easy on him and he plans on it taking all night anyway, why rush off for anything the following day unless it's something to do with the end of the world? ]

Are food critics the same as the people with food blogs? I've seen some that don't look grumpy or old.

Anything else make the top three?
Could say you're approaching 99%.

[There is something to be said for meeting in the middle. And for the absolute certain knowledge that they've got the same level of excitement simmering underneath the surface.]

Sounds like you're inviting me to spend the day lying around.

[Which is...oddly sweet. And extremely appealing. She can think of much worse ways to spend the day after they enact their plans.]

There's some overlap, but they're mostly two different subsets of food enthusiasts.

The food. Having more options is nice. I don't hate the internet.
I was gonna say 91%.

[ He didn't want to pretend he was completely right, he thinks that was a lower number that sounds plausible still while letting her know the excitement he feels is real, he's just preoccupied with finding the moment. ]

Yeah, I guess I am. I can't think of much I'd wanna do the next day.

[ He might also like the idea of either being there in her place after or having her at his, not rushing to get to anything unless they had to. Maybe they'd get bored, maybe they wouldn't. ]

I don't know anything about having a blog, guess I'm gonna become a food critic.

Being able to order food on the internet really makes up for some of its shortcomings.
Feeling modest?

[She gets what he's driving at, but she also appreciates and even enjoys when they keep things light like this. The moment will come to get a bit deeper.]

Sounds like a pretty good day to me.

[And like a pretty normal day. Which is quite appealing, especially if she gets to spend the day with him.]

You sure?
I could teach you how to blog.

I don't like having to scroll through a recipe if I feel like cooking. I don't wanna read about someone's dog when I'm trying to figure out what ingredients I need for it. Being able to order food helps when that happens.
I can be modest.

[ And for as much as they know it'll all come to a head eventually, he hates the idea of setting expectations too high on when it will be. Being light about it, it helps. ]

It's not jumping out of a plane without a 'chute, but it's something.

[ Natasha has quickly become one of his favorite people to spend time with - for a different reason than the other people he spends time with - so he considers time spent with her as something to look forward to as it is, but in this scenario he doesn't see why he'd want to do anything else unless it's the end of the world happening. ]

Alright, how do you teach that kind of thing?

I've got a great browser extension for you. It skips through the story right down to the recipe. I'll add it for you.

[If that sounds suspiciously like she might be planning to hack his phone so she can add a helpful browser extension, it's because she is.]

We know where to get a plane if it comes to it.

[Something tells her that it won't. But it stays in the vein of keeping things light.]

I hear they offer classes down at the senior center.

[ from here ]

You know if I'm gonna spoil her, I'll end up doing the same to Liho right?
I can take longer if you need it. I'm old, I gotta move slow to get there.

[ It's bullshit, because while he might move slow on occasion, he doesn't always feel every bit of his age in the years since his birth, as opposed to the years he's actually lived. But it's to say that he's not rushing her. His suggestion of thirty minutes was to prove he wasn't going to drag it out, make her wait and instead make this move while it was there. He's been making her wait a lot, he's gonna try to put an end to that. ]

You think I can't move in what I usually wear?

I don't have any ground to stand on to counter that, considering I went from "I'll feed you but you can't come inside" to letting her live here full time.
Take your time, old man. I'll be ready.

[Meaning - she understands what's between the lines there and is maintaining her stance. But also that she'll be fine if it takes him a little bit longer than thirty minutes to get to her place this evening.]

Of course you can.
Just figured you wouldn't want to get your nice clothes dirty when I knock you on your ass.

If Alpine hadn't shown up here mysteriously [ There's something pointed in that text, his way of saying even if she decided to plead the fifth then, that he knew it was her doing, even before the Chewy shipment. ] I would've been feeding her or another cat and ended up with one the same way. It's how I knew it was bullshit that Liho didn't hang around more than you said she did.
I only take my time when it counts. If I'm a second after thirty minutes, something happened.

[ Even if that something might be something like debating a while on what kind of flowers to grab. He might get lucky and the person selling them will be able to lead him in the right direction there. ]

Alright, but might surprise you when I'm the one knocking you on yours. I'm not holding back on account of it being a date.

It was extremely mysterious. Maybe she knows how to pick locks.
Good thing she chose your place to break into.
Liho does make a good roommate. Can't stay mad at her even when she talks back to me.
I'll give you a window of fifteen minutes before I raise any alarms.

[You know, just in case something weird happens on his way to her place. Because that would be on par with the kind of luck they both seem to have at times.]

You better not. I'd be disappointed if you weren't trying to knock me on my ass too.

Guess I'm lucky I don't have a lot of doors for her to unlock, I'd never see the end of it.
And she was able to bypass my alarm.
She must do that a lot when I'm not around, 'cause that doesn't sound like the Liho I know.
Alright, forty-five minutes, a second later and you're gonna have to track me down.

[ They do have some shitty luck - he thinks him more than her, but they might be able to have a debate on it - but he hopes it doesn't take him forty-five minutes to get himself together and pick out flowers before he heads to her to take her to this restaurant. Then sparring after. ]

And I don't plan on holding back. Not much at least.

Maybe she's been using an AI too.

[That is, after all, one of Natasha's secrets to disabling alarm systems. The other one is just good old fashioned ingenuity.]

She's on her best behavior when you're around.
Deal.
I've got some ideas for how you can feel more comfortable not having to hold back at all.

[That's probably not comforting in abstract. But she figures he might be more confident if she comes in armed, so she's concocted a plan that involves wooden staffs.

And fridge magnets.]

Must be. I wonder who she learned that trick from.

[ Yeah, he can take a wild guess who his cat would learn that kind of thing from and there's about three guesses on who would be on the top of that list. ]

With her best behavior being that, her worst can't be all that bad.
🤝

[ There's a pause because he's used to holding back, trying to keep himself from hurting anyone who doesn't have a similar serum running through their veins or if the time ever comes he spars with anyone with powers, able to fight back with a little more than he can with his training and enhancements. ]

How are you planning on doing that?

Probably Steve.

[Which sounds like a smart ass comment on the surface, but she's equally confident Mr. 'I learned how to steal cars in Nazi Germany' is more than capable of some light b&e when he puts his mind to it.

Even though it was absolutely her. Misdirection, okay?]

Guess I'll keep her.
🫡

I've got a couple of different ideas.
Weapons and a stand in for the widow's bites since I don't want to electrocute you this time.

['This time' isn't exactly a comforting thing to say, Natasha. But he's not the only one that's used to holding back in battle. The difference is that he has to pull his punches whereas she reserves certain moves and skills so she can disrupt the fight pattern people expect from her.]

Here I was worried he'd try to steal her from me, the whole time he was turning her into a bigger pain in the ass than him.

[ He sees through the misdirection but, he'll humor it. He can see Steve making sure that Alpine gives him a little grief, even if she's usually well behaved. ]

Not that she'd make it easy for you if you tried to get rid of her.

That's 'cause it's cheating when you do that and you know it. Even if I guess I can try and use the dead weight of it while I'm waiting for my arm to work again.

[ He's making light of it because he knows she wouldn't be trying to electrocute him on purpose, if she's looking for other alternatives...but it would get in the way of their continued sparring if his arm was out of commission for even a short period of time. ]

Should've known.

[She does appreciate that he's clearly playing along with her misdirection.]

I already went from telling her I'd feed her but she couldn't come inside to letting her live here and make cat friends.

[Doomed. She's so doomed. Never tell anyone that she has a cat shaped soft spot, Bucky.]

It's not cheating, it's just utilizing my skills to my advantage.

I'm gonna have to supervise his visits with her from now on, can't have him teaching her too much.

[ He can indulge things like this because it's more fun to pretend that Steve is the one trying to turn his innocent cat into a little troublemaker. ]

Alpine and I gotta thank Liho for that, since I'd probably be stuck with some mean alley cat if you didn't have her.

[ He's been told he resembles Grumpy Cat, so he probably would've ended up with a cat that is similar in nature and he'll take Alpine over that cat any day. If she keeps his soft spot secret, he'll be able to keep hers a secret too. ]

Sounds like a lot of words for cheating to me.

This could be a good way to teach him about subterfuge.

[Even when he's being sneaky, Steve still brings a certain amount of...'wearing a red and white target on his back' to the party that's about as subtle as getting punched in the face with an American flag.]

Liho accepts her thanks in the form of catnip. Which she is happy to share.

[She couldn't see him with a grumpy cat. Even if there is a certain resemblance. But she could see him with a cat that's slower to warm up. Alpine's still the better option. His secret will be safe with her.]

One could make the same argument about super strength.

I don't think he knows what it means to try and be sneaky. He didn't know what it meant back then and now he's harder to miss.

[ And it's not just because he's taller than he used to be. But if anyone could teach it to him and make it stick, it would be them. ]

Good thing I started buyin' it in bulk.

[ It was more cost effective to do it that way, but he's beginning to develop a habit of getting a few things for Liho when he's getting things for Alpine. ]

I can't shut off the super strength and I already pull my punches because of it.

I've gotten him to try a few times. It's definitely not his forte.

[But she does appreciate the willingness to try. All things considered, he'd done a decent job when they'd all been on the run.]

Did you really?

[There's a possibility that he's joking. But she thinks it's more likely that it's true. It hasn't escaped her attention that there are enough supplies at his place for two cats.]

Guess I'll just have to convince you not to pull your punches when we spar by using every trick in the book.

[And some tricks she wrote on her own.]

[ from here ]

Half the time those drinks smell like they're too sweet just from being around enough of 'em since getting back with half of the world. I thought the point was tasting the liquor, not masking it with a bunch of bullshit.

[ from here ]

A margarita or three counts as zero drinks? Next time someone's wondering how many knives I got on me, I'm saying I might have one or three on me, but it's zero.

[ He's being a smart ass, forgive him probably-drunk-Darcy. Instead of insisting that she might want to eat something if she's possibly had three margaritas in the last hour, he goes with: ]

I guess I'm getting some food when I get there. I might share some of it with you.

Oh come on. We all know you have at least one hundred knives on you at all times. It's okay though. I forgive you. Besides, it's kind of hot.

[ This is something that Darcy more than likely would have still said sober, so she's not going to be ashamed about it. ]

I would offer to share my margarita, but it's probably going to be gone when you get here.

Oops?

inbox.

tfln continuation — 02/16/2024 — @franfalle.

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google image search coming in clutch

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idk let's just say it's easy to send letters during the war??? or something LOL

really advanced stark tech, OBVIOUSLY (or yeah it doesn’t take 84 years to send letters)

it's our AU we make the rules here hahaha

magic letters sounds so awesome though. even if she'd probably have to decipher some chicken scratch

handwave handwave she had magic dwarven paper in her pockets and now they can write from anywhere

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