(video)

[wipedclean]

[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.)

Comments

[video]

[mismanagement]

[Oh, it's Steve. Maketh hasn't spoken with him much, aside from their initial meeting, but she likes his attitude. The simplicity of him. The other one - Not-Bucky - seems different. It's hard to tell over the network, but there's something about him - the stillness, Maketh thinks - that has her on edge. Or maybe she's being paranoid.]

I see you have discovered the network, Steve.

[She hesitates.] What shall I call your friend?

[video]

[wipedclean]

Not Bucky.

[That's all the input you'll get from him about that. Sorry.]

[video]

[mismanagement]

[She frowns at him.]

Do you have a rank or designation?

[Steve is military, and this man seems...well. Like the Inquisitor, if she's being honest. Perhaps he doesn't have a name either.]

[video]

[prespangled]

Yes ma'am, there won't be any problems with it from here on out.

[They definitely don't look like they could be friends, but that's always been somewhat true. Steve hesitates, glancing to the side before back to her.]

His name's James Buchanan Barnes. He always went by Bucky, but... [Steve trails off, frowning for a moment.] I guess a lot of things have changed.

[video - private to Steve]

[mismanagement]

[The conversation - if it can be called that - which she's just had with the Soldier hasn't given Maketh much confidence about the situation. She has experience with men who have given up their names. It ended badly.]

I'm sorry. Truly.

[She hesitates.]

Forgive my bluntness. I mean no offense. But is he trustworthy?

action;

[prespangled]

[He comes back to the couch after he finishes talking to Maketh. The mood in the room feels different, from the both of them. Steve's been reminded of something he's sure he'll be reminded of over and over again.

His friend has changed. People look at him now and they're not charmed the way they were back in Brooklyn. They're afraid. He sits down with a sigh.]

Maketh was really helpful when I first arrived. She's trying to look out for the people here, and I'd like to help her do that.

action;

[wipedclean]

[Steve's mood is different after his conversation with the woman, and the soldier is a little worried, wondering if he did something wrong. He sits a little on the edge of his seat, his posture tense.]

Alright.

[He doesn't blame the woman... Maketh. He doesn't blame her for her suspicions. The soldier is dangerous. Steve doesn't seem to fully understand that. But then this Steve hasn't seen him in action.]

action;

[prespangled]

[He didn't do anything wrong, and Steve tries to muster a smile for him when he looks over.]

I'm sure she could find you something to do too, if you ever needed it.

video

[quaerit]

[ 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?

video

[wipedclean]

[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.]

video

[quaerit]

[ 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?

video

[prespangled]

[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.]

[64th]

Aren't you two handsome? [ she smiles, flirtatious. just to see how this goes. ] What's next now that you've figured out the phone?

[prespangled]

[Steve's eyebrows lift a little. Bucky was always known to turn a few heads. Steve...not so much. Most people could look right over his.]

Uh...getting used to the appliances, I guess. They're not exactly like the ones I have back home.

[wipedclean]

[All he's going to do is roll his eyes, honestly. Handsome. Sure. Steve, maybe.]

video

[cowardley]

Oh, is this a friend from home, Steve? [ She hopes it is, even if he looks a little intimidating, especially in comparison to Steve. ]

video

[prespangled]

Yeah, we grew up together.

[There's a lot more to the story, of course. The problem is that Steve doesn't know most of it himself. He just knows that after everything Bucky always did for him, he can't not think of him as his best friend.]

James. Bucky was his nickname when we were kids, but...I guess he's outgrown it a little.

[video]

[casperdisaster]

... What kinda dancing?

[video]

[prespangled]

Ever do the lindy hop?

video

[whichend]

You're not Steve.

[ Says Arya, voice tight and glaring at the camera. Steve already knew how to use the network, Steve was much bigger, and if Steve had come back, he would have sought her out.

Right? ]

video

[prespangled]

[That gets a brow arch. He didn't know that was something that was up for debate.

I'm pretty sure that I am.

video

[wipedclean]

[He doesn't like her tone or her glare. His eyes narrow and he glares right back.]

He is.

[zen_en_vert]

I'm very glad you two have found each other.

[wipedclean]

[The soldier nods slowly, looking at Steve with a bit of a furrowed brow.]

Yes. It didn't take long.

[prespangled]

Yeah. I think he found me before I found him.

[Stalker.]

How's it going, Doc?