[ 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. ]
[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.]
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. ]
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.
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-]
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 know. You make that clear every time we're together.
[whether that's just hanging out as friends or...exploring the changes to their relationship this city has afforded them. no matter what, he knows how deeply bucky cares for him. it's exactly the same in return.]
Give me a week. Ten days at most. If things don't calm down by then, I'm finding a way to get back up to you.
okay. just stay in contact when you can. easier to know you're safe if I at least know you've got enough fingers to type. wouldn't mind hearing your voice some days, either.
[there's no response for a long few minutes. though it's for (what he hopes is) a good reason when the warning finally comes up that he's trying to connect a video call instead.
when the call finally connects, steve looks...worn. but there's a tired smile on his face. one that only brightens when he gets to see bucky again. he really has missed being around the other man.]
Still in one piece, and I don't plan on changing that.
[his voice is quiet, not wanting to disturb the others around him from where he's curled up in a corner of the arcade. at least it's somewhere safe and warm?]
[ When it connects, Bucky's lying in bed and he doesn't really try to hide the fact that he just might be wearing a t-shirt that he stole from Steve. ]
Good. I like that one piece.
[ His own voice matches Steve's, quiet even though he's not worried about disturbing anyone here. ]
[he just stares back at the screen for a long while, hating the fact they're so far apart. what he wouldn't give to be able to join bucky right now...]
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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.
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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. ]
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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.
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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. ]
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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]
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I can be patient. I'm pretty sure you're worth the wait.
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[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]
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[ 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.
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[because now that he's got bucky back in his life again, there's no way he's letting go either]
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thanks for having Thomas look in on me.
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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.
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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.
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[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.
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[ 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?
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[whether that's just hanging out as friends or...exploring the changes to their relationship this city has afforded them. no matter what, he knows how deeply bucky cares for him. it's exactly the same in return.]
Give me a week. Ten days at most. If things don't calm down by then, I'm finding a way to get back up to you.
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when the call finally connects, steve looks...worn. but there's a tired smile on his face. one that only brightens when he gets to see bucky again. he really has missed being around the other man.]
Still in one piece, and I don't plan on changing that.
[his voice is quiet, not wanting to disturb the others around him from where he's curled up in a corner of the arcade. at least it's somewhere safe and warm?]
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Good. I like that one piece.
[ His own voice matches Steve's, quiet even though he's not worried about disturbing anyone here. ]
Wish I could be there with you.
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Me too. I hate not being there with you.