onlyapassenger: (ss :: on the move)
Bucky Barnes ([personal profile] onlyapassenger) wrote2011-10-06 10:53 am

[for Steve] a little less conversation

Follows this.

Bucky is silent, but fuming as he stalks away from the site of Thor's future home, his body language so tense it's a wonder he's even standing straight instead of crumpling under the weight of his own bad mood. That he wouldn't have left the scene without Steve's wordless request is abundantly clear, and Bucky makes no attempt to hide his distaste for the decision. His mouth is twisted in a frown and his eyes are hard as he pointedly stares ahead, not daring to look over at his friend lest he explode before they're well out earshot from their earlier company.

[identity profile] onlyforthedream.livejournal.com 2011-10-19 05:02 pm (UTC)(link)
I wait until there's a waterfall and a healthy stretch of jungle between us and the place we left Tony, Peter and Thor before I let out an almost silent short, sharp sigh. I'm not exasperated with Bucky- not by a long shot. The situation leaves something to be desired, though, and truth be told, I had my own impulse to let Tony know just how little I care for his attitude and commentary. I'm practically grateful that Bucky gave me somewhere else to direct my attention.

"All right, let's hear it."

[identity profile] onlyforthedream.livejournal.com 2011-10-19 05:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"I don't know, Buck, but it sure sounds like you've got an idea," I say. It would make sense that he's angrier at me than Tony- if he'd really wanted to hurt the other man, it would have taken more than me simply stepping between them to prevent it.

[identity profile] onlyforthedream.livejournal.com 2011-10-19 06:37 pm (UTC)(link)
"What do you want me to do, beat him up to prove a point? What does that achieve?" Other than some potential satisfaction gained in the moment, but I know what would follow afterward.

"I can deal with Tony Stark, Bucky, I have some experience in that area, and even if I'd had time to react to the last jackass thing he said, you were primed to take him down a peg for me."

[identity profile] onlyforthedream.livejournal.com 2011-10-19 07:11 pm (UTC)(link)
"He has done well by the community here," I point out, "even if he's also been his usual reckless, dangerously thoughtless self at times, as well." I hesitate, mulling the exchange over again for the first time since walking away from it.

"...You're right about the sarcasm, though. Probably didnt- Hmn. Damn."

[identity profile] onlyforthedream.livejournal.com 2011-10-19 08:11 pm (UTC)(link)
I shake my head a little.

"Be that as it may, I will deal with him. I know you don't like him- I can't say I'm a huge fan, either- but it's not just him you don't like," I say.

"Bucky, I cannot let him bait me into lashing out. Even when he's not trying to. Can you understand why?"

[identity profile] onlyforthedream.livejournal.com 2011-10-19 08:33 pm (UTC)(link)
"No, Buck, but I think if you did, Tony Stark would be on it twice," I tell him evenly.

"This man didn't put the Registration Act through. This man didn't get me arrested. This man didn't-" betray me. Turn against me after more than ten years of fighting side by side.

"-isn't that Tony Stark. He may be unfathomably smug and push every button you have- and most of mine, it's uncanny- but he's not the same guy. And I don't know about you, but all of that, all of it, is still raw for me. I know you've had more time, maybe you see this Stark more clearly than I do. In fact, I don't doubt that you do. But every time I see him, for a split second I still think it's the Iron Man I know, and if I haul off and hit him, Bucky, I might not stop."
Edited 2011-10-19 20:43 (UTC)

[identity profile] onlyforthedream.livejournal.com 2011-10-20 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
"It might be I never do. I'm not looking for revenge on Tony, but the Stark on this island doesn't make it easy to remember that. Though he is a very different man." I find a place to sit on a moss-covered boulder that's protruding from a thicket of jewel green ferns.

"Does he bother the hell out of me? Yes. Have I forgiven the Iron Man I knew for what happened? No. These facts together mean I have to be careful. I will not blame him, will not lash out at him over something he hasn't done. I'll just..." I run a hand over my face and heave a sigh.

"Wait until he makes the wrong quip-" Probably about Bucky, "-and fight him over his own merits."

[identity profile] onlyforthedream.livejournal.com 2011-10-20 10:04 pm (UTC)(link)
"No," I say, "to be hacked off? Sure. To dislike him, yes. But not to hate him. And in all honesty, Bucky, if you hadn't made a move I probably would have lost it on the guy just now. If I hadn't already been in motion myself, I doubt I'd've been able to get between you."

[identity profile] onlyforthedream.livejournal.com 2011-10-20 10:16 pm (UTC)(link)
"Nothing else ever has," I point out.

[identity profile] onlyforthedream.livejournal.com 2011-10-21 04:43 am (UTC)(link)
I smile a little, grateful for the momentary levity.

"The rate we're going, things will come to a head eventually. I'm doing my best to give him the benefit of the doubt and he's showing an active unwillingness to return the courtesy. He doesn't respect anyone, and I'm done with it."
Edited 2011-10-21 05:08 (UTC)

[identity profile] onlyforthedream.livejournal.com 2011-10-21 04:47 pm (UTC)(link)
"Since when are you a strategist?" I ask lightly, though I smile as I do.