video: 12

[yourbestguysgun]

[ He's holding up a sugar dispenser, that's all the video feed consists of, Bucky's hand as he turns it around, watching the yellow grains turn over and over. ] Sand. [ Captain obvious, but he seems to figure there's something off about it. ] That's the third thing today that's had sand in it an' it's early hours yet.

[ And it is, he's in the diner pretty early, probably pleased that he doesn't take anything in his coffee. Hopefully it didn't have sand in it, but it looks so far, so good. Bucky needs that.

Because this is at least distracting, so what the hell. ] Anyone got any ideas?

Comments

[punchedhitler]

Well you won't hear me complain, especially since I get a break during those hour-long showers you've been taking.

[yourbestguysgun]

[ OH HEY TABLE TOP, YOU SO INTERESTING ALL OF A SUDDEN. ] Just gettin' used to havin' hot water.

[punchedhitler]

We won't have it for long if you keep using it like that.

[yourbestguysgun]

[ Well, maybe the shower being cold would sort out his problem. ]

Uh huh. Well, I'll bear that in mind.

[punchedhitler]

[And he finishes Bucky's coffee]

Did you eat?

[yourbestguysgun]

Nah, not hungry. But go ahead, we don't want y'to deflate.

[punchedhitler]

I won't deflate. I ate something before I took a run anyway.

[He dumps some coins on the table]

[yourbestguysgun]

[ Pushing up from his seat and grinning. ] C'mon then, you're wastin' valuable daylight.

[punchedhitler]

[He would like, ideally, to reach and hold Bucky's hand but he can't. Instead he moves just behind him]

I talked to Tony, by the way. About Howard.

[yourbestguysgun]

Is he okay? [ Is that genuine concern? ] Tony, I mean.

[punchedhitler]

He's fine.

[Emphasis is Tony's]

He said not to let Howard know.

[yourbestguysgun]

'Kay.

[ He thinks keeping something like that under wraps is a bad idea, but it's not his place. ]

[punchedhitler]

[So does Steve, actually]

I don't know how long they can keep it up.

[yourbestguysgun]

Let the Stark's deal with their own problems, ain't anythin' to do with us.

[punchedhitler]

I know you don't like it but they're both my friends.

[yourbestguysgun]

Family's different, Steve. You can't wade in there.

[punchedhitler]

[Steve is quiet because he knows Bucky is right]

I'm not going to say anything.

[yourbestguysgun]

Good.

[ He offers him a smile, because if anything, Steve's got a big enough heart to want to help both them. ]

[punchedhitler]

[Quiet]

But if this blows up...

[yourbestguysgun]

Then you get to step in, okay? Leave 'em to it, they need to sort it out themselves, but if it gets bad you can do something.

[punchedhitler]

[He hates this part, the waiting, the watching, the possibility of his friends doing something ridiculously stupid]

I offered to take Tony for a drink. I think people keep saying no cause I can't.

[yourbestguysgun]

[ Bucky almost laughs at that, shakes his head. ]

S'why I had to make Ames my drinking partner. Can't get off your face if y'know a guy can't.

[ And then --. ] Look, I may not get on with the guy, but I don't hate him. Y'want me to try?

[punchedhitler]

Sorry.

[A short nod]

He'll say no if you don't do it on the sly.

[yourbestguysgun]

Okay. I'll work on it, and you can stop tyin' yourself up in knots.

[punchedhitler]

Yeah?

[A sheepish pause]

I think you know me too well.