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[bettercallit]

[ It's been eight days. Eight whole days. Better late than never, right? But in case anyone's yet to figure it out, he feels the need to make the announcement. He's sticking to text to avoid a metaphor slipping out; that's his story and he's sticking to it, okay? Okay. ]

Agent Phil Coulson has left the City.

Comments

[yourbestguysgun]

[ Bucky stays quiet. Sometimes it's easier to just be silent and let someone work it out. So he takes a knock of the drink and hands it back over. ]

[bettercallit]

[ He takes it absently, taking a swig, and then fiddling with the label. ]

Loki killed him. [ Another swallow and he passes it back. ] Might as well've done it myself. Being here, with him, it made it feel like it wasn't real, you know? Guess it doesn't matter now.

[yourbestguysgun]

'Course it matters.

[ It matters to Steve that Bucky's dead in his world, he can see where Clint's coming from but he can also have enough foresight to know it isn't fair to him blame himself. ]

[bettercallit]

[ It does, he knows it does, feels that it does, and he takes another long drink from the bottle in hopes it might numb it a bit, drown it out if he's lucky, just for a while. ]

Everyone leaves. [ But this is final, unfair. ] 'Cept he would've stayed if he could. Right?

[yourbestguysgun]

'Course he would've. Ain't seen a guy who's as happy to be in the City as Coulson.

[bettercallit]

Yeah, he fit in well, left a hole no one can fill. [ Passing the bottle over. ] He better get his ass back here.

[yourbestguysgun]

[ Another swig. ]

You never know. I thought Steve was gone and he came back.

[bettercallit]

[ He knows it's a long-shot, that he shouldn't put any hope in that thought, but he does anyway. ]

You guys are soulmates, whatever that means, 'course he came back for you.

[yourbestguysgun]

[ Snort. ]

I wouldn't know about that. All I'm saying is that you shouldn't give up hope.

[bettercallit]

Might be better for everyone if I did, but I don't think I could even if I wanted to.

[yourbestguysgun]

That's never gonna be better for anyone, Barton. [ Handing the bottle back. ]

Hope keeps us human.

[bettercallit]

[ He takes it automatically, not quite as eager to take another drink, the already consumed liquor slowly starting to kick in, take effect. ]

Got Fury for that. [ Looking at him, far too open and vulnerable. ] He made me promise not to quit. Why'd I go and do that? [ A bitter laugh escapes him. ] He meant out there, if I get out, to face up to the fact he's dead.

[yourbestguysgun]

He wouldn't want to give up, Barton. [ A hum. ] You're an Avenger, ain't giving in against the law or something.

[bettercallit]

If I was gonna give up, I would've done it long before now. [ Quieter. ] It's knowing he'd be disappointed if I fucked it up along the way, the pressure of knowing there's no option but to keep going.

[ Or maybe he's just had too much alcohol the last week, but he knows he's not going to crawl away to die somewhere, wouldn't insult Phil by doing it, and after everything he's been through to get here, well, he really would have walked away before now. ]

[yourbestguysgun]

[ Nudging him.]

The door's always open, kid. [ A hum. ] Me an' Steve'd always like having you 'round.

[bettercallit]

Not sure Steve quite gets the humour, it kinda takes the fun out of it.

[yourbestguysgun]

I'm not sure I get the humour. [ Grinning. ]

[bettercallit]

[ He manages a half-hearted laugh. ] Yeah, well, you and me? We're not exactly on different wavelengths most of the time. And you know Coulson worships the guy, right? Wouldn't wanna go upsetting the legend.

[yourbestguysgun]

He doesn't really see himself that way. Steve, I mean.

[bettercallit]

Yeah, kinda figured that. The guy should have an ego the size of Starks for all the attention he gets, so I gotta hand it to him.

[yourbestguysgun]

He's never really been one to be a jerk like that.

[bettercallit]

[ With a playful smirk. ] He puts up with you, so I worked that one out.

[yourbestguysgun]

[ A laugh. ] Yeah, yeah. Fuck you, Barton.

[bettercallit]

Not sure he'd appreciate us bonding that much.

[yourbestguysgun]

[ Pause. ]

In your dreams.