brooklyn_boy | DRIFTFLEET IC INBOX

I know. [Natasha says softly, sincerely. She reaches across the table to touch Steve's wrist gently.] I know what you lost when you lost Carter. And I know how much Bucky means to you, I really do.

[Giving his wrist a little squeeze.]

Winter is still those things. He's the same person, and that's all part of his history. But he has seventy years of history after it too, and you can't ignore that. You can't cut that out any more than you can cut out his childhood.

He's a good man. And stronger than any of us realize. If he weren't, he wouldn't be able to look in the mirror in the morning.

It's worth getting to know who he is now.

He doesn't remember so much...

[He shakes his head, not sure how to express this. His eyes are bright as he stares out into the middle distance beside him.]

He said that 'Winter' is the biggest part of him. The soldier and all of those seventy years. That's the biggest part of him.

I want to know him now. I do. But Nat... You know how it feels: seeing Bucky with the same face and just enough similarities to remind you of what you've lost?

I'm trying. I am. But it's...really fucking hard.

[Natasha doesn't point out that when another Bucky showed up in the Fleet, her first move was to meet him where he was, try to be a friend to him. That she very intentionally tried to avoid putting her own expectations on him.

Because she does know what it's like.

And because it's not really the same situation.]

He was lashing out. Saying what would hurt you. He knows that. [Which isn't exactly the same as saying it's not true.] In that moment, you were hurting him and he wanted you to stop.

It's really not that complicated, Steve. None of us are the same people we were when we were twenty, not even you. None of us wants to be treated like we are.

In his case, it's a little more extreme but the same idea.

[She takes her hand back, lifting her coffee.]

You've taken bullets for Barnes, Steve. You going to tell me you draw the line at Taylor Swift?

[He exhales and huffs out a humorless laugh.]

I guess not. Put like that it's all pretty silly, I guess...

[If there's anything Steve knows how to do it's to put things into correct priorities. And his feelings? His wants? They never really rank all that high. He can do this.

For Bucky? Yeah. He can do this.]

I don't want to hurt him. That's the last thing I ever want to do. [He sighs.]

I'll figure it out.

Thanks, Nat. I appreciate this talk. Winter is lucky to have you.

[Steve, that is 180% the wrong lesson to take from this.]

He's not the only one who has me, you know. I'm in this for you too. You deserve to have your best friend back, even if you have to learn who he is again.

[Bold of you to assume he learns lessons.]

Thanks. I know you are...

[Steve will even throw a small smile her way.]

I'll...manage. After all, I have Bucky with me, now. That helps. [Steve's smile almost looks genuine for a second.] He helps a lot.

[The smile fades as he remembers the point here.]

Do you know where Winter is? I should apologize. See if he wants to give me the chance to learn who he is.

[Clearing her throat a little at that question.]

The last time I saw him, he was still in bed.

[That shouldn't be a surprise. Her bed is bigger.]

Suppose around now, he might be in the shower. You might send a text message first.

[That gets a pretty honest laugh out of Steve.]

Well, there's the similarity; Bucky was still in bed when I left too. Must be a Barnes thing to sleep in.

[He shakes his head and pulls out his communicator. He doesn't make any attempt to text though. Just looks at it.]

I'll give him a little. Then maybe see if he wants to meet up....

[Natasha's eyebrows go up at that, not exactly surprise, but asking a clear question.]

Whose bed...?

[Sorry, have to stop on that.]

[Oh. Right.

Steve flushes.]

Er. Mine. I called him after the whole fight and asked him to stay over.

Just thought you'd sneak that one in there. How long has this been going on?

It's new. We ended up kissing at Jim and Victor's wedding.

[He might sound nonchalant but he's all smiles thinking about it.]

It's good though. Better than I woulda thought it could be ...

I'm happy for you. Surprised, but... happy.

Yeah. I think we were pretty surprised too.

[He sobers up a little.]

It's him, though. Bucky. I don't...

I really am so happy for you and Winter. You're the best ones for each other.

I don't know about that. But he makes me happy. [And that's a lot for both of them, really.] It works.

Thanks.

[Another bitter laugh.]

I made a joke about awkward double dates before....

[He looks back at his phone.]

Think I should give him more time?

[Natasha's not sure there's a good answer to that question.]

Depends what you want to say.

[Maybe not the double date. Not yet.]

Do you need more time?

I don't know.

I don't like us fighting. But I don't know if I am who he wants me to be.

[That's an interesting reversal.]

Who do you think he want you to be?

Someone who can let go?

[He shrugs a shoulder weakly.]

I don't know, Nat. I just know I messed things up real bad before. I don't want to make things worse.

I don't think he expects you to be anyone other than you are, Steve. [They all know that's doomed.] Anymore than you actually want him to be someone he's not.

Your friendship wasn't all about the past in the 30s. You had a future then. You can have a future now.

Yeah. [He smiles at her a little.] Yeah. You're right.

[He fiddles with his communicator.]

Besides. I got Bucky for all the old stuff. I can...learn who Winter is. You like him so that's a pretty strong endorsement.

[In some ways, Natasha has to wonder if that isn't part of the problem. Having the other Bucky, the one who was more like the old one, created certain expectations...

The problem with those expectations has already been litigated though; no need to bring it back up.]

I think you'll like him too.

Yeah. Yeah, I'm sure I will.

[He shoots off a text before he second-guesses it. From there he sets the phone down.]

Best I can do is try. I'm trying to stop that whole 'Waiting too long' thing. Working so far...

Should I ask what you sent?

[Probably only so far she should stick her nose in these boys' business.]

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