Stephanie Rogers (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
fight_like_a_girl) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
cari_inabox2014-06-08 10:11 pm
fight_like_a_girl) wrote in cari_inabox2014-06-08 10:11 pm
Open Post - 06/08/14
OPEN POST OF OPENESS IS HERE
Your choices for muses to tag are Black Jack (
lifes_expensive ), Russell (bioalchemic ), and Stephanie Rogers fight_like_a_girl ). Let me know if you want anyone in any other flavors such as OU or AU or game CRAU! Steph is also the new girl on the block because I have problems so please be gentle. ;w; Prompts are as follows, shamelessly jacked from a meme. RNG if you want or pick something you like OR GO NUTS WITH SOMETHING OF YOUR OWN CREATION
ACTION.
① Zombies → It's the zombie apocalypse, lock and load!
② Bar brawl → You had one too many drinks, said something wrong, and now you're being asked to take it outside.
③ Chase → You're caught in a high speed chase.
④ Gun fight → You're caught in a big shoot-out.
⑤ Fight with a friend → You're fighting with a friend, all out.
⑥ Interrogation → You're being interrogated for some offense you've done.
⑦ Aliens → Aliens are attacking and you're not going to take your probe laying down!
⑧ Final battle → This is it. The battle that will end all the fighting for you. Will you win? Will you get that peace you want?
⑨ Training → You're not actually fighting, just training for the inevitable.
⑩ No hope → You know this fight has no hope. It's not going to end well for anyone involved, but you can't turn away.
⑪ Sneaking in → You're stealing a diamond or sneaking in to kick some bad guy butt, but whatever it is, you have to practice stealth.
⑫ Blue wire → You're faced with a bomb that needs to be disarmed.
⑬ Fight for honor → You've been disgraced or someone you care about has, so it's time to fight for honour.
⑭ Showdown → Time for a cowboy-style showdown. Whoever draws the fastest wins.
⑮ War → You're caught in the middle of a war here. Remember to keep your chin up and keeping fighting.
⑯ Apocalypse → The apocalypse finally happened and now you're left to scavenge and fight for whatever is left.
⑰ Sabotage → It's time to sabotage someone's plan! How is entirely up to you. Do you set up a bomb in their toilet? Do you double cross them at the last minute?
⑱ Big damn hero → You know you have to handle this one alone, so that means disarming or knocking unconscious the person who wants to join you.
⑲ Fight club → You know the rules... you're in an underground fighting ring and you're fighting with all you've got.
⑳ Threaten → You've just been sent here to rough them up a little, threaten them into behaving.
ANGST.
① Injury / illness → Your character has become injured or ill! To what extent is the mun's choice.
② Last moments → You character has been gravely injured and this is their last chance to say their last words.
③ Depression → Your character is depressed, what actions they take is up to the mun.
④ Betrayed → You character has been betrayed by the other. How do they react?
⑤ Tortured → Your character is being tortured and needs rescuing or at least a sympathetic ear to help him through it.
⑥ Jealousy → Your character is feeling jealous and must deal with it, how will they do it?
⑦ Breakup! → This relationship has gone as far as it can, it's time to breakup.
⑧ Broken → For whatever reason, the character is broken, mentally or or physically.
⑨ Fight → You can't even be in the same room as your friend or lover without arguing anymore.
⑩ Lost → You lost the biggest fight of your life and now all you can do is try to pick up the pieces.
⑪ Worst nightmare → Whatever you fear the most is now real or maybe you're just trapped in a dream together, but whatever it is, it feels too real.
⑫ Addicted → You're addicted to something, alcohol, drugs, sex, whatever. It's destroying your life and you can't do anything to stop it.
⑬ Hurt you → You're being forced to hurt someone you love either by betraying them or even being forced to shout things you don't mean. It's for their own good in the end though.
⑭ Separation → You were forced to leave this person for their own safety and while you've been miserable without them, you really didn't mean to run into them again... maybe it was by accident or you were watching them from afar this whole time.
⑮ Becoming a monster → You are slowly changing, becoming a monster: vampire, zombie, demon, something you can't recover from and no-one can help you.
⑯ Frozen → You are entirely helpless, frozen, to stop some kind of disaster.
⑰ Prison → You were very bad and now it's time to pay the price by turning yourself in or maybe the law just finally caught up to you.
⑱ Fear → You're not sure why, but you are suddenly terrified and you can't deal with it. You need help.
⑲ Hated → You are now hated by the person you loved the most.
⑳ Down and out → You're living on the streets, you've hit rock bottom, and you don't know what to do.
FLUFF.
① Cuddling → For whatever reason, characters feel like being close and cuddling.
② Pillow talk → After the main event, characters are up for some pillow talk.
③ Celebration → Anniversary or some other big event is taking place and characters want to celebrate!
④ Love confession → Someone has finally decided to confess their love and today is the day!
⑤ Appreciation → You feel the need to show appreciation for that person closest to you, even if it's just a pat on the back.
⑥ Apologies → You made a mistake and now it's time to make it up in some way you know the other can't refuse!
⑦ Get back together → Why did you break up again exactly? Whatever the reason, it was a huge mistake and you both know you can work through it.
⑧ Date night → You've planned for a wonderful night together and you can't wait to get it started.
⑨ Family → You've either found out you're pregnant or you've already got that addition to your family.
⑩ Marriage → You're just about to get hitched or maybe you're enjoying your honeymoon. Maybe you've been together for years now! Whatever the case, it's time for that next big step.
⑪ Meeting again → It's time for that happy reunion finally!
⑫ Love at first sight → For whatever reason, you are now insanely in love with the first person you set eyes on.
⑬ Flirtation → You can't resist to do a little bit of harmless flirtation all of a sudden.
⑭ In the snow → Look outside! It's a winter wonderland, so why not go out and play in it?
⑮ Engagement → You've planned it all out and now it's time to finally pop the question.
⑯ Friendly games → You've set up the game station or board games for a friendly competition!
⑰ Gift → Time to give that special someone a gift just because.
⑱ Recovery → You're taking care of someone who's just recovered from some illness or injury.
⑲ Healing → Time to help mend that someone who's been through hell and back.
⑳ Better than ever → You've finally got everything you've ever wanted here. What is your ideal life and who does it include?
GEN.
① Nice meeting you → It's your first time meeting this person! You bumped into each other on the street, in a bar, at work... whatever!
② Drinks → You're out for drinks! Or just chilling at home with some beers. Wherever!
③ Lost → You're lost and you kind of need help finding your way to where you're going. A little help with directions?
④ Costume party → You're at a costume party, both of you are wearing masks. Do you keep the anonymity or take it off and see whose company you've been enjoying?
⑤ Wrong number → Oops, actually you didn't mean to call that person...
⑥ Drunk → You're already drunk! Drunk dialing, stumbling into someone, showing up unexpected... what type of drunk are you anyway? Aggressive, loving, happy? How does the other react?
⑦ Old friends → you haven't seen this person in a long time!
⑧ Rivals → you're suddenly rivals! Or maybe you have been all along...
⑨ Problems → you've got a problem with each other, just got in a huge fight, whatever. Try to work it out!
⑩ What are your intentions... → This person? They're dating a close friend, family member, etc. You need to find out if they're going to hurt them! Or you need to discuss your friend/family's dating choice.
⑪ I saw you → you saw the other person doing something bad and you need to confront them about it.
⑫ Sorry but no → the other person has feelings that you just don't share. They don't necessarily have to be romantic... maybe you just don't agree with their sudden desire to quit their job and start a business making tiny, fuzzy teddy bears.
⑬ My hero → you need to tell this person how much they mean to you. They've been your best friend or your role model your whole life and they need to know.
⑭ Enabler → you're enabling the other (or each other) to do something bad, really bad. Addiction, stealing, killing, or just any other self-destructive behavior.
⑮ Cooking → Time for an impromptu cooking lesson!
⑯ Oh, sure, I remember you... → It's that awkward moment when someone comes up and seems to know you, but you have no idea who they even are!
⑰ Rescue! → One of you was in trouble, but you came to the rescue!
⑱ Boss → One of you works under the other. Is your relationship good? Are you scheming things? Or do you hate each other?
⑲ Perfect crime → You and the other person have just pulled off the perfect crime... or you're planning to! What are you doing? The heist of the century, an assassination?
⑳ Movies → movie night! Maybe it's a sleepover. Whichever the case, it's time to eat a lot and have fun.
let's do this
6) drunk -heavy wheezing-
Ughnn...
[Is this how recovery worked? Showing up drunk, disheveled, and dirty at the doorstep of the one person you supposedly can trust? She swallowed, holding back a sick feeling, and was unable to bring herself to knock. Instead, she pressed his back to the door, sinking to the floor and hugging her knees to her chest. ]
[She chuckled gruffly...wish she could have afforded something other than cheap alcohol]
you got this girl I'M WITH YOU TILL THE END OF THE LINE
[Her and Sam had stopped looking. Now it was a waiting game, a painful and anxious way to pass the time. Something about her would turn up eventually but until then there was nothing Steph could do.]
[In a way it's good that she hadn't knocked, because Steph wasn't even home at the moment. She hadn't been gone for long, but super soldiers need to eat, and she was nearly out of, well, everything. Oops. So it's with arms laden with groceries that she comes to her doorstep and stops dead in her tracks.]
[Because who is siting there waiting is an impossibility, a sure hallucination of wishful thinking. She's gasping out her name before she can stop and ponder if it's a good idea or not.]
Bucky...?
Re:TILL THE END OF THE LINE
[ The slow turning of gears in her alcohol-impaired brain finally gave way to coherent thought. That's me, she thinks. Yeah. Bucky. Jaaaane Bucky Barnes. Buck....Bucky and...]
Steph...Stephanie.
[As she studied the face in front of her, thoughts mingled with memories, mingled with emotions, until her mind was a sea she didn't know how to navigate. ]
Bucky... [ A small nod. ] And... [ An uncoordinated flop of her flesh arm in the direction of the figure she faced. ] lil Steph. That's us, huh? [ She tries to stand, but doesn't get farther than pushing up with her metal arm before slinking back down and laughing, slurring.]
[ Is this why she's here? For this woman? Boy her eyes are pretty...]
no subject
[It's still a situation to be approached with extreme caution. She doesn't know how much she remembers, or how she'll react to anything, and there's a very good chance she could still bolt at a moments notice.]
Yeah, that's us.
[It's something familiar, at least. But something is also wrong. Bucky is acting... weird. Disoriented? Disconnected? Not that she really expected her to act as whatever passes for normal after all that's happened, but still.]
[She sets the bags down on the ground, not really caring if they get left there for the racoons of DC to feast upon. Steph starts her approach slowly, half to be as nonthreatening as possible and half to buy time to find something appropriate to say.]
You... came back.
[She should probably be calling Sam and Natsha. Probably. But she's not going to. If there's one thing in this world she has to handle on her own, it's this.]
Are you okay?
[It's a stupid, obvious question but she's asking anyway.]
WELL THAT WAS LONG
Am I okay? [ A violent shake of a limb that all at once wasn't her own, and yet was still too much a part of her. ] Oh I'm fucking peachie Steph, sign me up for best in show and bring me home to your ma.
[ Pained, panicked laughter continued and it was all too much, this is all to much, and she leaned over to her side, clutching her stomach as vomited what little sustenance she had obtained in the last few hours. ]
[ The woman next to her, so many memories, so many things, her mission, her friend, her best friend, her...Brooklyn, wars, diners, dances. All of it with Stephanie. All of it. Till the end of the line. ]
Jesus Steph, I'm sorry, I just...jesus.
[ The clothes she had stolen from a clothesline, a ratty baseball cap, her eyes dark and red with sleep deprivation and intoxication. She knew she needed help, needed direction until she could sort out everything out herself, and she knew Stephanie was her best shot at that right now. She didn't need to be giving her bullshit, she always put up with it, too long, too often. ]
I don't want to break anything anymore. I want to go home...[ laugh, slurred speech, a glance at her arm. ] and those...your mom used to make. Pancakes? God those....those were good...I'm...I'm starving. Just got rid of my...last meal.
AND THERE GOES MY HEART
[Here she was, trying to help, and after all her good intentions she was saying the wrong things anyway. Steph owes her more than she'll ever know, and Bucky deserves so much better than everything that's happened to her. She'd tear apart the land and the sky if it would help undo even a fraction of the damage done.]
Don't. You don't have to apologize. It's my fault.
[She let her fall, let her stay in the hands of the enemies, let her go wild and be all alone. It might be stupid and illogical to blame herself, but that doesn't mean she won't anyway.]
[In all honesty Bucky looks like she's been hit by a truck four or five times and hasn't seen a shower in a month. To top it off, she's now highly suspicious she's been drinking-- It explains more of her sliding words and movements than Steph cares to admit. Their first order of business should be getting her inside. Then there can be food.]
I've got you, okay? You won't break anything. And I can make you pancakes. As many as you want.
[She doesn't say "You are home", because this isn't even New York and their apartment building has long since been demolished in the name of progress. But she hopes it's close enough for now, and moves to help her up.]
Come inside?
TAKE ME TO I-HOP STEPH AND PLAY ME THE SONG OF YOUR PEOPLE
Ch-...jesus christ, you always were the walking dumb blond stereotype, weren't you? Never knew trouble when you saw it, apologized when you didn't need to, s'gonna get you killed. Jus' openin' up your front door to let an assassin in; to make 'er a fuckin'...fuckin' pot of tea.
[It had started as a joke, an old one she thought she had scrounged up from the depths of her memories, but it ended with a torrent of guilt and nausea. And this, this is what had kept her away for so long. Memories were great - if they didn't included the dozens upon dozens of people you've slaughtered. The diplomats, leaders, women, children, probably small animals too because fuck me. She couldn't face Steph with that blood on her hands, didn't deserve to.]
[And yet she had come, eventually; she was here, she had nothing, nothing but Steph and if that was selfish, well, she was going to hell anyway. She moved to take Stephanie's hand to stand, but hesitated for a moment, making sure to her flesh hand and not the metal one. Her eyes went dark at first, scanning for danger, but it only took a few second to feel suddenly and strangely grounded. She stood.]
I...pancakes? Yeah, okay. [Words were difficult to form, mouth didn't move right. Difficult to stay standing.] Yeah...thank- thank you, Steph. Than' you. God why is walkin' h-hard...
/SINGS NATIONAL ANTHEM REALLY LOUDLY AND REALLY BADLY
[She remembers the times that Bucky would marvel at her, "How did you manage to convince them to hit a girl? Jesus, Stephanie.", but no matter what, she was always there. Through fights against bullies and pneumonia and Hydra she was the one thing that never wavered.]
Some of my best friends happen to be assassins. [Though if they like tea is something she doesn't know. Steph swung her arm around Bucky's shoulder to steady her, and went fishing for her keys with her other hand.] We should have a movie night or something.
[She can play the dark humor game too, though her hand is shaking as she tries to get the key into the lock. There's something unreal about having her there, warm and breathing and alive, and there of her own free will. It's more than she'd ever ask for.]
[Where they would go from here was irrelevant. They could take it one day at a time, one foot in front of the other. They'd make it work.]
Just lean on me, okay?
not too LOUD YOU'LL SCARE THE WILD ANIMAL //hiss
[ Normally, a part of her would be screaming at her, scolding at her for letting her guard down and daring to trust. Depending on others - other than your handlers - was not in HYDRA training. But the soldier was a fractured thing now, and the alcohol loosened it's grip even more, though it left her in a dizzying state that wasn't necessarily better off, especially during the moments the soldier in her did slip through.]
[ She leaned, eyes down and going limp, letting herself be dragged into Stephanie's dwelling like a lifeless doll.]
I's...saved...had to save your sorry ass. You were strong 'n, Steph. 'ways were...Dunno how was gonna get along without you if you let yourself get killed by a bunch o' cocksuckers bold 'nough to hit a little dame like you.
[ She lulled her head against Stephanie's shoulder, sighing into the crook of her neck. She was sore, she thought she might vomit again, either that or the hunger was just that bad (maybe both), but somehow it didn't matter. Steph was there, her rock, her anchor, the only thing that makes sense and god, dear god she hopes she doesn't mess this up, didn't find herself with a knife to the blond's throat.]
What...movies y'got...punk? [Softly into Steph's neck, trying to block out the rest of the world by seeing only Stephanie. ]
/whispers; teeeellll me I'm your naaational aaaaanthemn~
[She elbows the door open, and bodily hauls them both through the entry way. This apartment is a little smaller than her first, and it's noticeably free from bullet holes. This time there's no SHIELD agent hiding next door and none of the neighbors have caught on to who she is. It's still sparse though, with the walls barren and most of her meager belongings still in boxes. Most of her life is on display in museums or in private collections. Which is a little creepy when she thinks about it-- There are more than a few unaccounted sketch books that have an embarrassing amount of Bucky in them.]
[In the end she supposes it doesn't matter much, not when she's got every bit of home pressed up against her. Bucky is barely coherent and basic motor skills seem beyond her at the moment, so the first thing she's doing is getting her onto the couch. She's a little worried that left to her own devices that she'd hurt herself.]
I've got a bunch of Disney ones. They made a ton while we where out.
[Steph is praying that there's something in the DVD box that'll be low key enough to watch safely. Or at the very least will be enough to distract her while she cooks-]
[-goddamn the milk is still outside on the street. Way to go Captain America.]
Stay put for a minute, okay?
Re: /roars; IF YOU LIKE IT THEN YOU SHOULDA PUT A RING ON IT
[ As soon as the words were out of her mouth she regretted it; Stephanie didn't need her hardass humor right now. Always, always, always hurting Stephanie; she just wants to be worthy of that smile of that little girl from Brooklyn that wasn't afraid of anything - worthy of Captain America's smile - but here she is piss-ass drunk on the Captain's couch. ]
I got it, I got it...I'll be here. ....d'ja say Disney? Well... shit. Cool.
[ Waiting for Steph to retrieve the milk, her eyes lazily wandered around the barely-lived in apartment, spotting a few boxes here and there but not much else. She thought it was funny, it's not like how it used to be at all...no sketchbooks, no pictures pinned to the wall, no stray plates that Bucky forgot to clean and that Steph was trying to ignore in hopes that Bucky would take the cue and clean them. (Steph almost always cleaned them.) It was almost like she was ready to pack up and move again at a moments notice -]
[ The panic hit her like a freight train, Moving out, shipping out, gotta go to war, Buck, gotta leave Steph behind, gotta do your duty or die trying, it's war, Bucky. It's war. ]
[ She screamed, and not even a proper scream - a rough, gritty scream coming from a voice that got little use and was still feeling the sting of retching up a past meal.]
WELL MAYBE I WILL THEN WHAT
[Thankfully the grocery bags are right where she left them, safe and not yet ransacked by the local wildlife. Thank god for the little things. She even has apples if she wants--]
[--the sound of the scream cuts through everything. No no no. She almost drops the bags again when she bolts back into the apartment. They make it past the door at least before being unceremoniously dumped onto the carpet.]
Bucky!
[Steph comes skidding back to where she had left her, biting back her own panic. What was wrong? Had she made a mistake by leaving her alone, even if only for a moment? Christ, that was something never wanted to hear again.]
THEN I'LL TURN INTO THE WINTER BEYONCE AND WRECK ALL THE VILLAINS WITH MY SICK HIPS
[ Huddled into the back of the couch, as far from the door as possible, she curled into herself as much as she could, holding out a knife in front of her. Eyes wide, breathing heavy but unsteady. It could have been threatening, if her hands weren't so damn shaky, if she - ]
[ Dammit. ]
[ The knife clatters to the ground as her arm goes limp and she slinks back to lie down on the cushions. It's okay, they're okay, she hasn't blown anyone's head off, no hard to clean bloodstains, Steph is here, Steph is here... ]
...y-you...you have any blankets, doll? [ Tries to smile, let the remaining warmth and buzz of the alcohol drown out the dark thoughts. ]
PERFECT BECAUSE YOUR HIPS DON'T LIE
[Steph pushes the weapon away, sliding it into a corner far from where it landed.]
You're not going anywhere you don't want to.
[And she means it. Sam is going to ream her out for even bringing Bucky into her home, but she'll handle that conversation at a later date. Or maybe never.]
I'm going to be right here with you.
[Because now there's nowhere else to go.]
Of course, I have plenty. [Being stuck in the Arctic for a few decades would give anyone an aversion to the cold. It doesn't take her more than half a heartbeat to run and grab one from the bedroom closet. On top of being ridiculously fluffy, it might just be patriotically colored. Because Natasha is an ass. She unfolds it anyway and drapes it across her.] Let me know if you're still cold?
TONIGHT ON DANCING WITH THE STARS: SPANGLES AND ROBOCOP
Thanks...this...is good.
[ Jesus, how do I repay her for all this? How long has she been here and she already has Steph hovering over her nervously and uncomfortable. What can she do, what can do....her mind skips around until it finds something and latches on - the two of them, twirling in their apartment and laughing cause Steph, god bless the little thing, didn't know how to dance and Bucky wasn't going to let her get away with not knowing any longer. It would help her on dates, she told the smaller girl...not that Bucky ever really wanted any of Steph's dates to amount to anything...not if they weren't her. ]
[ Without knowing why exactly, she slowly finds Steph's hand takes in her right one, and sings softly and brokenly, but gently, soothingly, pulling from whatever memory is consuming her. ] y-your pretty face and electric soul....
WATCH ALL THE CONSERVATIVES BOYCOTT IT BECAUSE HOW DARE THEY
[It's infectious, and Steph can't help smiling back.]
That's really pretty, where'd you hear it?
BUT THEN HALFWAY THROUGH THEY REALIZE THEY ALL HAVE BONERS AND ARE RAGING HOMOSEXUALS
[ Leaning her head back, her old baseball cap having long fallen off and allowing dirty, disheveled brown locks to splay everywhere, she closed her eyes. Her face contorted for a bit before smiling as she latched onto the memory a again, this time the dance having ended in Stephanie tripping into Bucky, causing them both to crash to the floor in laughter and resulting in an ensuing play-fight. (That may or may not have ended in cuddling. She hoped it did.)]
...will you still love me...when I'm no longer...young and beautiful...
[ Voice trailing off as her singing quieted, she opened her eyes again to give Steph a cocky, crooked smile. Her voice still slurred, but she had become fully relaxed, unaware of what a sober tomorrow might bring to her mental state. That didn't matter right now, though. None of that mattered. ]
You gonna...make ths' pancakes... like a proper all-american wife, blondie?
I ALWAYS THOUGHT THEY DID DOTH PROTEST TOO MUCH
[She says this with raised eyebrows and a hint of a smirk. Leave it to Bucky to be a hot mess and claim to have gone out on the town. Maybe, just maybe, they could go together next time.]
[Steph stays quiet after that and let's her have this moment of peace. There's no telling what the next day will bring with it, so there's something to be said for savoring what simple joys where to be had. And by the end of it she's laughing and shaking her head.]
Yes, I'll get right on your silly pancakes, jerk.
[She dares a friendly hair ruffle before standing up to retrieve the groceries for (hopefully) the last time.]
Soviet space arms bring out the homo in all of us
[ She tenses at the touch at first, the feeling of fingers in her hair, but finds it take only a second for it to click in her brain that maybe it's okay, maybe she likes that. Maybe she's allowed to like things. Before she gets anxious thinking about her autonomy too much, she grins tiredly but broadly. ] Thanks, punk. You're an angel. [Has she said that before?]
[ While her blonde benefactor retrieved the groceries - this time without incident - Bucky scanned the room, her thoughts not rebelling against her and instead feeding her curiosity.]
...you still draw, Steph? I remember...everywhere. Paper. Were good. So good. You still do that? ...be kinda dumb if you didn't I guess. [ Her eyes closed again as she spoke, the fatigue of previous events finally taking full grip on her. Her memory was full of charcoal, sketchy lines, doodles of animals playing instruments and mumbled curses when Bucky accidentally made Steph draw the wrong line.]
Don't fight it guys search your hearts YOU KNOW IT TO BE TRUE
[She doesn't need a recipe card for this (though she's been informed that no one uses recipe cards anymore, because everything is online anyway) and starts sorting through the cabinets and fridge for all the ingredients. It's not a complicated food to make, so it doesn't take long to throw everything together in a bowl.]
I...
[Well, when she thought about it, she hadn't picked up a pencil and drawn anything serious in months. There had been doodles in meetings and scribbles on whiteboards at SHIELD when no one was looking, but not anything that could be taken for fine art. There might have been a sketchbook buried in one of those boxes, but hell if she remembered which one or if it was even there.]
Sometimes. I've been busy lately; Haven't had a chance to do much.
[In retrospect it did seem pretty dumb to have pushed it aside. But she hadn't been in the mood for art after being defrosted, or when aliens ripped apart New York City, or during her frantic extended search for a long lost friend.]
How to lose a guy in 10 days (and if you can't, kill him with a spatula)
[ She backs away, still having the blanket wrapped around her, and clutches it while stretching out her arms, in a very bat-like motion. ] Me! Climbing...climbing the empire state building...battling king kong...and rescuing my dame...with lasers....and confetti. [ Bucky was pleased of herself, moving to place her hands on her hips as if her idea was worthy of a nobel peace prize. ]
[ She moved to plop herself on a nearby chair, leaning back and yawning loudly. She was quiet for a minute again as her mind swam, trying to sort drunken fantasies and memories. More memories of art, of a drawing class that consisted of Steph actually showing talent, and Bucky drawing cartoons of herself with large breasts and an army of loyal tiger steeds. A flash from a time, seemingly earlier, younger, when a jealous classmate had stepped on - and snapped - all of Stephanie's pencils. Bucky's eyes went dark.] ...'were so good. But people are assholes...I could kill them, you know, Steph. People...no one's gonna give you a hard time anymore.
[She cocooned in the blankets once again and breathed deeply, managing to muster a laugh after a time. She didn't know why, but somehow that sounded wrong. Right, and wrong. No one should hurt Steph, no one. She would snap the neck of anyone who tried. And yet, somehow, the thought of that made her tinge with guilt. Or maybe she didn't feel guilty enough...]
Not that spatula I need it for cupcakes :l
I'll get right on that, I'll even have it framed for you.
[It might be nice to draw again. To do something that wasn't secret missions or saving the world from impending doom. And Bucky was always a good reason to get into something.]
[But it's too much to ask for the light, happy conversation to last. The idea that she's so willing, so causal about killing for her is a little terrifying. Defending her is one thing, it's something she expects even if she doesn't need it, but this--]
No!
[Okay, that might have come out a little quickly, a little harsh. Steph takes a deep breath before continuing.]
No. You're... not killing anyone. Not anymore. [Especially not for her. Hell yeah people where assholes, but that didn't mean you assassinated anyone who slighted you.] You don't need to do that.
Then appease me and MAKE ME A PANCAKE THRONE. (Game of Waffles)
I can't do a-anything no more Steph, 'sall I can do for you now, 'sall I have to offer and I'm a sick fucker. Ma'd be so proud of her lady...
[ Breathing heavily, she curled in on herself further with the blanket tight around her. She's safe, think think think...god the alcohol had been such a bad idea and she'll probably hate herself even more in the morning than currently, but please just let her make it through the night...she can eat and get washed up and maybe she can feel human again. She has to. For Steph. Steph doesn't deserve babysitting a wreck of a person. ]
...but thanks for the drawing, sweetheart. Framed'd be real nice. Put it right above my bed....floor? something...where am I sleeping?
[ That's it, just focus on that. Focus on rest, on food, on Steph's golden soul.]
[ On real fucking Vermont syrup.]
u sure that'll get real moldy real fast and who are u gonna rule on yo pancake throne
[So please, please don't cry. She wants to plead with her, make her see it's not her that's messed up-- it's what's happened, and what's been done to her. And god, Steph is so angry. Not at her. Never at her. But if those bastards ever crossed their path again they'd find hell waiting for them. How dare they.]
We can get through this, okay? Together.
[And that's a promise, as sincere as they come. As to where she would she sleep;]
On the bed, of course. I'm not putting you on the floor. [Duh. The couch is okay, but the bed is probably best for someone who looks like they haven't slept in a week. There might even be enough room for both of them.]
EVERYONE if u don't like pancakes u are either dead or hydra and if ur hydra you'll be dead soon
...together. Till the end of the line, punk.
[ There was the faintest smile before she retracted her prosthetic limb and closed her eyes, resting her head on her arms that were folded upon the table and humming loudly, lazily. She opened one eye to gaze up. ]
...wake me when the pancakes are done, yeah?
[ And for the first time a in hell of a long time - in decades - Bucky fell asleep almost instantaneously, and her usual nightmare companions did not come. She did not dream of horrors past, but of herself as a hero climbing all of the tallest buildings in new york, chasing down the giant ape that held her shouting love hostage.]
...mm got...got you now........lion cannons! ... [ Sleep mumbles just audible enough to be noticed. Some maybe a little louder than others.]
buck you can't do that you'd be a dictator ESPECIALLY NOT A PANCAKE DICTATOR
Till the end of the line.
[Steph will mimic those words as many times as she needs too. It's probably eight kinds of sappy, but that doesn't make it mean any less.]
[She does let her sleep because she obviously needs all the rest she can get. Besides, there's food to make. Stephanie Rogers might not have inherited much from her mother, but the cooking skills she did get. She has a well-worn pan that perfect portions of batter go on and she tries so very, very hard not to laugh aloud at Bucky's unconscious flailing.]
[It's not more than half an hour later before there are two plates on the table, piled high with still steaming pancakes. And yes, that's real maple syrup as the center piece, all the way from the green hills of Vermont.]
Hey. [She touches her shoulder gently, hoping to nudge her awake slowly rather that startle her.] Food's ready.
[There's enough to feed a small army, and considering Steph's ridiculous metabolism, the two of them might just qualify as one.]
I'm not a pancake dictator I'm an elected waffle monarch
[ And then, it all caught up to her. Her coherency was coming back, but joining it was a headache to end all headaches, the love bite of a binge-drinking night at a really rank dive bar that probably wouldn't pass a health inspection. ] Ugh...damn....head...
[ She holds her head in her flesh hand for a moment, kneading and groaning, before looking back up at Steph. She didn't have the loose comfort alcohol afforded her anymore, and a lingering nervous feeling set in, but it was bearable; she could swallow it. She smiled a truly genuine, even if small, smile. She didn't want Steph to think she was ungrateful or unhappy, she was definitely neither of those things - but trauma wasn't cured over a nap and alcohol. ]
Thanks, Steph...it smells...it smells great. [ Just like your ma's... she couldn't bring herself to say. ]
[ She had eaten very scarcely in the last few weeks, and when she did it was almost always finger foods at grungy dives, stolen snacks, and the like. Her handlers had before then almost always given her nutrition internally. Because of this, and still sleepy state, she didn't think twice about tearing off a piece of pancake with her hand and eating it that way, forgoing silver ware. And oh - jesus christ was she hungry - it didn't take her all of five minutes to devour every pancake in the stack. It was almost feral feeling; she had to eat all she could while food was available to her, her brain told her, who knows when she'd have it again. ]
I don't remember this election alSO THIS IS AMERICA we don't have monarchies :l
[Steph can sympathize with hang over symptoms, because even if she can't get drunk, she certainly remembers what the morning after feels like. She'd offer some asprin if she though it would work. When they theorized that the serum would protect her against sickness and poison, they forgot to mention that painkillers and like might become useless to her. Considering that whatever Bucky had been drinking had worn off so fast, the bottle of pills in the bathroom would be of little comfort. They where more there for the benefit of guests anyway.]
[A glass of water couldn't hurt though, so Steph fishes a mug out of the cabinet while the food is devoured at an alarming rate. It's heartbreaking to see her eat like she's been starved, especially when that's probably the case. She looks between the second plate and Bucky's clean one and decides she can make a sandwich or five for herself later.]
Here. [She pushes the rest of the pancakes toward her and sets the mug of water down beside it.] Eat it a little slower, though? You don't want to get sick.
['Again.' She thinks but doesn't say a loud. She's sure there's some rule about not letting someone who hasn't had food in a long time have too much, but oh well.]
THEN I'M GOING BACK TO RUSSIA AND ESTABLISHING MY BREAKFAST BUREAUCRACY. HAIL HASH BROWNS.
[- she wasn't like Stephanie, either. She wasn't human, but she wasn't a hero, something super and special...she was in a mediocre limbo, neither here nor there. She swallowed a last bit of pancake and pushed the thought out of her mind. Her eyes immediately went wide as more food was pushed in front of her, food she knew had been meant for Steph. ]
...are you sure? I mean....you should eat. [ The words came out a tad hoarse, and looking down at her syrup-covered hands as if they were covered in blood, she couldn't help but feel ashamed. I'm not a damned animal she has to remind herself. ]
[Finding a napkin and wiping her hands slowly, she picks up a nearby fork and knife and holds them appropriately, after readjusting the blanket around her shoulders. She notices the water, but decides to let it be for now, as she looked back up at Steph. ]
....at least let me help with dishes... or something...? [ She definitely didn't want to get sick again, and she owed Steph for the first time she did. She owed Steph for more than she could count in a lifetime.]
HAKSHSKFHWJ YOU STOP HAILING POTATOS AND GET BACK HERE MISSY >:I
[She'd made it through far leaner times than this, many of them with Bucky on the other side of the conversation. She clearly needed it more than Steph did anyway. But she grabs and apple and absentmindedly starts peeling it, half to have something to do and half to dissuade Bucky from worrying about food.]
Don't be silly, I'm not letting you do the dishes. One, you're terrible at it, two, I have a dishwasher to do it. [Some things about the 2000's where actually pretty amazing. Like how apartments came standard with the things; Though half the time she washed them herself, because it was only her.] Besides, you're a guest. Both our ma's would be horrified if I pressed you into manual labor.
I'll hail whatever I want would you rather I hailed your spangly panties
[ Finishing the rest of the meal and washing it down with a swig of water, she stacked the plates and silverware, bringing them over to the sink. She could at the very least do that, she had to do something]
I mean, if I can go toe-to-toe with Captain America I think I can handle some dish soap. [ She gave a raspy chuckle as she stood next to Steph, blanket still held tight around her like a sick child you might see in the movies. She smiled again as she saw Stephanie slowly munching on the apple. Even if it was to appease her like she had guessed, it did put her at ease. ] We gonna make this a proper sleepover? Couch-cushions pushed together and everything?
mAYBE AT LEAST THEY'RE AMERICAN AND NOT A VEGETABLE
[But she smiles and let's her take over on the dishes. If she wants to help, she's not going to stop her. She just doesn't want Bucky to feel like she's obligated to do anything.]
Yeah, you put up a pretty good fight...
[Steph winces though at the memory of their last meeting. She hadn't exactly come out of it singing and dancing, and what was left of SHIELD had graciously footed the hefty medical bill. If it had been anyone else on the other end of that match in the helicarrier, they would have been dead long before the wreck had hit the water. And Steph knows her own fists hadn't been kind, even if she had held back, even though she'd given up halfway through.]
Buck... [She starts it cautiously.] Did you... did you pull me out of the water? Christ, how did you even walk away from that?
[Who wants to talk about sleepovers when you can talk about beating each other half to death instead.]
You just get a boner for anything endorsed by the united states of why
[ The grin faded and her heart sank as she turned around fully, taking slow steps towards Steph but staying a good distance away when she stopped, dropping the blanket to the floor. ]
...yeah, Steph. Yeah. I did. Because if I hadn't managed to at least do that.... I would have let myself sink to the bottom of the Potomac like a rock, found myself a nice watery home. [ She had only just started to crack on the helicarrier, but it was more than enough. A hairline fracture only grows with stress, and by the time she dragged the both of them out of the Potomac with faint memories of protecting a frail blonde on her mind, the only things she knew for certain was that 1) Steph was not the enemy anymore and 2) her life meant nothing, and if she wanted it to mean something she was going to have to go out there find a reason for it to be so. ]
How did I walk away? [ She laughed roughly, and without warning removed the ragged, torn, and probably odorous clothing that covered her torso, leaving her exposed from midway up. It was not cute, it was not some sort of seduction, it was an answer. Her entire body was scarred and bruised,and the stitching where flesh met metal was angry and red and irritated. An expert could notice in her mannerisms signs of bones that had broken but healed incorrectly, not getting the proper care.]
Like that. That's how I walked away. ...you. How did you walk away? [ She had to raise her voice, only slightly, but with growl, to cover up the tears threatening to emerge. Whatever she felt, she imagined Steph felt it tenfold. Steph had help back...Bucky had a kill strike in mind until that same mind broke during the critical hour. She imagined Steph's body the way her own was at that moment, dirty, broken, and let out a low growl that was both sad and angry] Pulling you out twenty times wouldn't make up for what I did to you. [ Turning around quickly, she bent over to scoop up the blanket once again and cocoon and shelter herself again.]
I'm captain america that's literally my job :T /bald eagle flies by
[That feeling of warmth and triumph quickly flees when she lifts up her shirt. Bucky is a hot mess in every way and suddenly she feels so selfish for asking and so stupid for not thinking of it sooner. She would have never set foot in a hospital, no matter how badly she needed medical attention, not in the state of mind she was in when they had parted. And she knew her own strength, she remembers when that metal beam had pinned her.]
Fucking hell.
[This was bad. Very bad. Who knows what complications her injuries might have caused from going untreated, or what infections could be waiting to claim her life in the night.]
I-- It was after, Sam found me-- Jesus, Bucky! [Steph nearly trips over herself standing, scrambling to her side.] We need to get you to a doctor!
everytime you find a bald eager feather, Stephanie Rogers just missed a refernece
Steph...[ She didn't argue, but instead mumbled apologies into the other woman's shoulder over and over again as she leans in. She knows Steph isn't letting her get out of this, so for now, she accepts it. She has no idea what will happen from here, what her place in the world is anymore, but for this moment, trusting Stephanie was all she had the strength to do.]
and everytime she gets laid an eagle is born. which is why they're endagnered.
[She holds her close, still in shock and trying to desperately think of their next course of action. Where could they go? A public hospital was out of the question, it would be too conspicuous and unprotected. A liability if anyone from Hydra found out Bucky was there. They had been quiet as of late, but Steph wouldn't put it past them to be on the look out for their asset gone rogue. Like hell she was going to let them take her back.]
We...
[Oh hell, she was going to have to call Sam. And maybe Nat. Fuck.]
We can't stay here. We have to get you help.
[Steph takes a step back to look at her earnestly. She can't stomach the idea of forcing her to do anything she doesn't want to do, but at the same time she doesn't have the medical skills to help her.]
Trust me? [She brushes some stray hairs out of her face, realizing how deathly pale she is.] Please?
except they're not endangered anymore WHAT AREN'T U TELLING ME FREEZER MOM
...yeah Steph, yeah. Always.
[ Taking a hesitant step forward, the ex-soldier took a deep breath and wrapped her arms tight around Steph's shoulders, shaking slightly and involuntarily. Her breathing soon evened out as she clung to the blond. ]
[ Standing back up, she cracked a smile. She thought of Brooklyn and sleepovers and games, of campfires and ghost stories and dancing to the radio. Of wanting nothing more than to live her life with Stephanie Rogers. Maybe, just maybe, they could actually start again. One day...]
You got any...anything clean I can wear? [She asked with a small chuckle.] Maybe I can look somewhat presentable. [ She was nervous about meeting with anyone that wasn't Stephanie right now - anyone who was going to be examining her, touching her - but she understood the necessity, and she trusted that Steph wouldn't hand her over to anyone who would hurt her. (Her metal arm flexed at the thought of being prodded again.)]
uHHH HEY LOOK THAT CLOUD LOOKS LIKE A CAT
[Getting her cleaned up isn't a bad idea, though, and it'll give Steph the time she needs to compose herself and make a few phone calls.]
I do. They... might be a little big though. [She never remembers her being this skinny, even when winters where rough and war time clawed away at supplies.] C'mere, you could use a shower. Or five.
DON'T AVOID THE QUESTION. I TRUSTED YOU, YOU PIE-LOVING, EX-ASTHMATIC, HOMOSEXUAL
I think I can manage. Better than my team-hydra uniform, at any rate. [She grinned, grabbing Steph's hand lightly and taking a few steps before immediately stopping and realizing she didn't actually know her way to the bathroom, or around most of the house in general. ] Lead the way, Captain.
BUT I'M IN CHAAARRRRRGGGGEEEEEEEEEE
It's also way better than whatever it is you dug out of a dumpster. [She's smirking as she guides her to the bedroom, which happens to have a master bath attached too it. Even if this place is a little smaller than her first, it still dwarfs anything they shared before the war.] I'll probably have to burn what you've got on.
[She's kidding. Maybe.]
[The frosted glass door opens to the bathroom. While it doesn't have anything fancy like a tub, it's clean and elegant, and the shower is extra large just because it can be.]
There are towels in the closet back there. Just yell if you need anything else.
[
Because girl you are ten hot showers away from touching her.]Um excuse you I'm the Winter Beyonce. WHO RUN THE WORLD??? ME.
And thanks, I will. [ She answered with a grin as she carefully stripped and stepped into the shower, hesitant at first but growing more comfortable as she played with the knobs and warm, soothing water came down upon her. [] Dunno what I could possibly need without you, though. You burn my clothes for me and everything; what a doll.
[ She remained content for a few minutes, until her gaze as she washed herself remained a bit too long on her metal prosthesis. Suddenly, she was aware of her body as a whole, and aware of how it looked back in Brooklyn when she was the Bucky that Steph knew. This was not the Bucky Steph knew. This was foreign. This wasn't her. Or she wasn't Bucky. Does she belong here? She...]
WE ALREADY HAD THIS DISCUSSION NO DICTATORSHIPS
[If she thought this was nice, she should see Stark's place--]
[--Now that was an idea. She's have to ask him, but perhaps he might know of some medical personnel who where trust worthy enough to be given access to an assassin. No, ex-assassin. A friend. A friend with some issues, but one none the less.]
[She starts digging through her dresser, trying to find something for her to wear that she might like. The selection is a little limited and her clothes are plain, but they're serviceable. It's kinda weird to think that they'll be big on Bucky when it had been the other way around for so long.]
[With the door cracked enough for her to slip in, Steph comes by and sets the clean clothes on the counter by the sink.]
I left them over here when you want them.
[She doesn't intend to rush her, but she's off to pack an overnight bag for whatever travels lie ahead.]
no subject
Because Larsa wishes to finally see Black Jack again. Why? Because it's been quite a while. To be honest, the young lady only left because she was afraid that the Emperor would find her closest friends, as she continued to flee him. Vayne... Larsa just wished to get away from that Seer.
But when she's got some free time wherein Vayne wouldn't capture her, she comes here. It's a place she feels like is home... even if she does feel a little less safe in her armour.
With a knock, guess who's at your door!]
no subject
You've come back.
[Her tone isn't accusatory in the least. She knows what it's like to be guilty by association, and to have people hurt by that. Goodness knows her own daughter has been thrust in harms way too many times because of her line of work.]
It's good too see you.
no subject
[Larsa says, as she walks inside with a smile. The smile soon fades, though - as Larsa gives a slight grunt, sitting down on the ground.
She always ends up a little injured when she comes here, after all. It takes time and effort to flee. But a warm smile - Larsa was fine.]
You've had no troubles, have you? I'd worry if the Judges came after you when I wasn't here.
no subject
[And no one ever came here healthy, there seemed to be some unstated law of the universe that dictated those on her doorstep arrived there covered in blood. Black Jack knows a scolding would be useless at this point.]
[She sighs anyway.]
Stay put.