hadriel | (video)

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(video)

[The video is showing two very different men sitting side by side on a couch in one of the apartments. The soldier, big, strong, metal arm, and still in his tactical gear but without his mask and goggles, seems to be showing the other, Steve, how to use the phone. The video joins this demonstration already in progress.]

Like that. See?

[He hands the phone over to Steve.]

And now it’s showing to everyone else.

[Steve’s figured out...well, most of the basics. Those that he could on his own. He was too stubborn to ask for help, but somehow Bucky must’ve known that he needed a little more instruction.]

Huh. [He takes the phone from the larger man.] So you’re saying that everyone can see and hear us right now? [The same way Steve has seen and heard others over the network. He blinks, expression brightening with an idea.] To everyone I haven’t met yet, my name’s Steve Rogers. And this is Bucky.

[Steve nods his head in his direction, but he never looks away from the phone.]

He used to like dancing. I don’t know if he does or not anymore, but if anyone needs a partner, it can’t hurt to ask.

[See what happens when you teach him things, Barnes.

For the soldier’s part, he turns his head to glare at Steve, then leans back into the couch, crossing his arms and scowling. He sure as hell isn’t going dancing with anyone.]

No one else calls me Bucky.

[The way it’s phrased, it’s clearly not a statement or a request. More like an order.

Only Steve gets to call him Bucky.]

(Bucky is red and Steve is blue. Replies will come from both.)

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[ Gansey recognizes the little one. He'd never have guessed that the larger one would have been his choice of companion; they couldn't look more different. Still, Gansey doesn't look a lot like his friends, either. ]

Hello Steve. Do I take it you've never used a phone before? I'm not really used to them contacting everyone at once, either, but you get used to it. I'd be happy to give you some tips, if you like.

And, Steve's friend... [ He was introduced as Bucky, but clearly dislikes it. Gansey tries to be polite about this sort of thing. ] ...is...there something you'd prefer to be called?

[He sighs a little. He should have addressed this in the video.]

Soldier.

[He looks over to Steve, his brow furrowed, then, hesitantly,]

Or... James?

[It sounds strange in his mouth, and he's clearly not completely comfortable with it. But he wants Steve to be happy, for reasons he's not sure he totally understands.]

[ Soldier? Gansey hesitates, clearly uncertain. He'd rather call someone a name than a profession, though. ]

James, then. I mean, obviously I'll call you Soldier if you like, but it seems somewhat impersonal. Did you serve in the army?

Yes. A long time ago.

[Too long ago for him to really remember. Though there are flashes of it sometimes--Sergeant Barnes--it's never anything concrete.]

Ah, well then.

[ But no, that still doesn't sit quite right. Soldier is not a rank that Gansey knows. ]

So, why that name? As opposed to Corporal, or Sergeant, or...whatever you were.

That's what I am.

[He shrugs, as if it's really just as simple as that. Because for him, it is.]

Well…yes, but…

[ Christ, this is strange. This man seems a world away from Steve. ]

I was more interested in who you are, that’s all. But of course, what you do is very interesting too.

[This is frustrating. People should just be able to accept what he is and get over it.]

What I am is who I am.

[ Another pause. A concerned little frown passes Gansey's face, but it quickly evaporates, leaving his expression clear. ]

So you don't...consider yourself to have an identity, outside of your job? [ His phrasing is careful. He's trying not to seem judgmental, despite this being something he can't really understand. ]

And your friend doesn't agree. Is that the issue?

I'm not meant to. I don't need one.

[He is his job. That's all he is.]

He... no. He does not agree.

You're not meant to?

[ That's a rather different thing. Gansey can feel himself reacting, the wrongness settling over his chest. ]

According to whom? I think that your friend has a point,to be quite honest.

My handlers.

[They own him. They control him. They dictate his existence. He is their weapon, their tool.]

[ Handlers.

Jesus Christ. ]

I see. And...do those handlers happen to be here?

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[They were always something of a mismatched pair, Bucky being everything that Steve wasn't. Now Bucky's just...everything that Steve isn't plus a metal arm.]

There's nothing like it where I'm from. I thought I could figure it out on my own, but I don't wanna break it. Any tips would be appreciated.

[Steve glances to his side, but he leaves the rest of it up to Bucky.]

I can tell you they're more hardy than they look. These ones are quite simple, at least compared to what I'm used to. I can show you.

[ It's a little strange for Gansey to be better at technical things than anyone. ]

Where is it that you're from?

That's good to hear. Does anyone know where you would even get another one?

[At least without taking someone else's, which Steve wouldn't do.]

Brooklyn. [Before he realizes that he might mean something a little different than just a place.] 1943.

You might need to ask the gods. Hope, specifically.

[ In no small part because he’s the only one Gansey thinks is helpful. Or sympathetic, even though he’s not even all that sympathetic.

And then, of course, his face changes. 1943?! ]

Are you serious? I mean, I shouldn’t be surprised, I suppose. Different places, different times…it probably doesn’t matter to the Door. No wonder the phones are strange to you! Did you fight in the War?

[Different places, different times. Steve's met people who claim to be from different galaxies, who say that they know him, just a few decades in the future.

It's a lot to get used to, but he's managing. There's a bittersweet sting at the mention of the war.]

No - I was going to. I had some trouble enlisting, but then I'd just finished basic and...I'd been chosen for a special program. But I showed up here before I had the chance to complete it.

[It sounds a little bit like he's making excuses, and Steve hates it so much.]

[ Gansey, who would be roundly horrified by the thought of war, doesn't judge Steve in the least. If anything, he seems impressed by Steve's willingness to go through it all. ]

I'm sorry you couldn't complete it. It must have been important to you.

It's quite fascinating to meet someone from the forties, honestly. I'm from quite a while in your future, where technology like this is very common. If you need any help at all, I'm happy to offer it.

[There's the briefest look of surprise before Steve gives him a grateful little smile. It was important to him, and Gansey's one of the few people who gets that.]

I'm hanging in there so far, but thanks. But it must be tough for you, being used to certain things and ending up in a cave.

[ Gansey smiles. ]

I think that's tough for everyone.

[ Unless of course someone here is used to living underground. Gansey certainly isn't. He's used to caving, though, and his recent experiences with that have not left him enamoured of being underground. He can deal with it, but it doesn't come without anxiety. ]

It's claustrophobic for all of us. Honestly, though, there's enough about it that seems impossible to fascinate me. It's a place full of magic.

I imagine that's strange for you, too.

It sure is.

[He takes a deep breath. The phones, the different appliances in the apartment, Steve can adjust to the technology. But then it gets shoved right alongside the magical stuff and it's all Steve can do to keep his brain from fizzling - not that you'd really know it by looking at him.

It's tough for everyone, but some definitely manage better than others. Gansey seems the type.]

Hey can I ask you a question? It's gonna seem weird, but what kind of art do you like?

[ Gansey pauses. Of all the questions he might have expected to be asked, that one was not high on his list. He does take most of his surprise in stride, though, and lifts his eyebrows. ]

Ah, I make models sometimes?

[ ...they're not very artistic. He moves on. ]

I don't know, I wouldn't call myself a particular fan. I've come across the occasional tapestry that's caught my interest, but mostly because of its historical appeal. Why do you ask?

No real reason.

[Except it was such a specific, slightly out there question. He shrugs.]

It's just that you remind me of this guy who used to be in my class. He'd always look at those paintings that were just like weird shapes or dots of color and see the most amazing things. I bet you could do that too.

[ That makes Gansey laugh. Because, actually, he probably would. ]

I think I'll take that as a compliment. I was always taught things like museums were educational. I've seen my fair share of art galleries.

I think you can see wonderful things anywhere, though, if you know where to look. And you're willing to believe in them. In my experience, not everyone is.