IC Inbox - Duplicity

[lednikovyy]

Comments

[lednikovyy]

just trying to make sure civilians aren't getting hurt or going hungry, but if anyone hurts you, I'll be looking for a high place with good visibility.

[ He's not letting anyone get away with that. ]

[etch]

Nothing is happening to either of us because we're both going to be careful and not take any stupid risks, right?

[because as much as he'd like bucky to stay in the apartment and not leave, he's still a soldier. still has that same drive to do the right thing that steve finds equally as impossible to ignore.]

And before you say anything, yes, that's me agreeing to keeping my head down too. I don't want either of you coming down here.

[not when there's only one way to get through]

[lednikovyy]

I'll be careful, but no promises that I'm not coming down there if it looks like you're in over your head.

[etch]

I'm with Scott and Gwen. We'll be fine.

Though when I get back I think I'm going to sleep for a week.

[lednikovyy]

you can sleep for a week once I'm done with you. ;)

[etch]

You're going to be the death of me.

I hope you realize that.

[lednikovyy]

if I blow job you to death, can I really be blamed for that? not my fault you're irresistible.

but I can back off if you and Peggy need space.

[etch]

[type. delete. type. delete. there's so many things he wants to say to all that, and he really has no idea where to even begin.]

I've asked her to move in with us. That doesn't mean I don't want you there too.

I think I've forgotten how to sleep when you're not with me.

[lednikovyy]

[ Bucky hadn't realized he'd been tensely waiting for a response until it comes and he feels his shoulders relax. He'll do whatever Steve needs, but that doesn't mean it won't hurt if he has to back away. ]

I sleep better when you're here, too. fewer nightmares.

[ Feeling safe doesn't come easy to Bucky anymore, but Steve gets him pretty close to it. Just knowing he's nearby, feeling his warmth in the bed next to Bucky, it helps so much. ]

[etch]

[his response only makes it that much more important that steve doesn't let things change too much. he loves peggy, they both know that. but bucky is always going to come first in his life, no matter what. he just hopes she'll understand just how far that feeling goes. that she'll accept what their relationship has become here.]

Then it's just as well I'm not going anywhere.

[current circumstances aside. being stuck on the other side of the city is getting more difficult to deal with by the day.]

I miss you.

[lednikovyy]

I miss you, too.

you better come back in one piece, because I don't feel like going on a rampage right now.

[ Which is Bucky's way of trying to lighten admitting that he's not sure how okay he'll be without Steve now. He needs Steve about as much as he needs food and sleep these days. He can maybe survive without, but there's a difference between survival and living and Bucky's done just getting by on survival. He's spent too many years living no life at all. ]

[etch]

You're not going to go on a rampage.

Once things settle down a bit, I'm going to find a way to get back to you. I promise.

[because as much as he may have friends here, may have a future team at his disposal, bucky really is all he'll ever need]

[lednikovyy]

yeah because you're going to come back in one piece when the dust settles.

I can be patient. I'm pretty sure you're worth the wait.

[etch]

Only pretty sure?

[yes, he's taking the easy way out. but it's better than dwelling on the fact that neither of them are probably coming out of this unscathed]

[lednikovyy]

can't expect a guy to put all his eggs in one basket in this day and age, can you?

[ Which is hilarious because Steve can have every egg Bucky's got if he wants them. ]

when I get my hands on you again, I'm not letting go until I'm done with you.

[etch]

What if I want you to hold on for a little longer than that?

[lednikovyy]

impossible because I'm never actually going to be done with you.

[etch]

That's more like it.

[because now that he's got bucky back in his life again, there's no way he's letting go either]

[lednikovyy]

what can I say? I guess I'm turning into a sap in my old age.

[etch]

You've always been a sap. Though I think I might be the only one who knows that.

[lednikovyy]

good thing I trust you with my secrets.

thanks for having Thomas look in on me.

[etch]

It sounded like he was going to anyway. But I'm glad he did.

I told him that he could stay a while, if you wanted him to. Just until I'm back again.

It's your choice though.

[lednikovyy]

of course he was. he's a good guy. just like I remember.

and thanks. I'll talk to him about it.

[ He's glad they seem to be getting along, too. It's not like Thomas could ever replace Steve or anything, but they're both pretty important to him in their own ways. He doesn't want to be without either of them here if he can help it. ]

and I'll keep an eye on Peggy, even though I know she can take care of herself. never hurts to have extra eyes on your back.

[etch]

You two are the toughest people I know. So who better to watch your backs than each other?

[especially when he's not there to do it himself. there's a brief hesitation before he continues, not entirely sure quite how his words will be taken. but ultimately-]

For what it's worth, I approve. He is a good guy.

[lednikovyy]

I'm sure we'd both be happier if we could watch your back, too.

[ Bucky knows Peggy is a lot like him in that way. They both know that Steve is strong and capable, but he's maybe not always the best at having a sense of self-preservation without someone watching over him. ]

I'm glad. you're my two best guys, you know?