(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]

[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?

[video - private to Steve]

[prespangled]

[Steve sighs, stands up and makes his way into the other room. It feels wrong, talking about Bucky and keeping it a secret from him like this. But he wants to do everything that he can for everyone in this situation.]

Bucky's my best friend. He's been through something...I don't really know what. He won't talk about it.

[Which might be just making things worse. At any rate, he hasn't answered her question.]

But I still trust him with my life. And he's definitely got skills that will come in real handy here.

[video - private]

[mismanagement]

[No doubt there was pain. Maketh thinks again of the Inquisitor, who might have had a family somewhere. People who loved him and knew him by a name instead of just a title. Certainly there must have been someone.

It hadn't stopped him from killing her men.

Maketh nods somberly.]

All right. I--appreciate your honesty in this. But as a soldier, you must understand my concern.

[video - private]

[prespangled]

You're just looking out for the city.

[Steve appreciates that, even understands it. Steve might be color blind, but he's not totally blind - he looks at Bucky, and he knows that he's no longer his friend who sent guys on their way with a solid right hook and a kick to the backside. He's someone different now, someone lethal, and he's not sure that he's seen the worst of him yet.]

I'll take full responsibility for him. No matter what.

[video - private]

[mismanagement]

[Maketh nods.]

All right.

[A pause.]

I appreciate your honesty in this. Thank you.