punched_hitler | ☆ 33 ☆ (TEXT; Private to Bucky

[TEXT: Private to Bucky]
Hey, I need you to hang on to something for me for a little while, if you don't mind.

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[It's not that there's a new guy on the Barge - there's not. But anyone used to seeing Captain America around might notice that he's conspicuously missing as of Saturday - or, at least, he's not six-foot two and two hundred twenty pounds anymore. He's five-foot four and about a hundred pounds soaking wet, and he's not apologetic about it in the least. Same haircut, same voice, same style of dress (at least he asked for some civilian clothes that would fit), same attitude.

Steve goes about his day the same as he ever has - he goes for a run through the Barge early in the morning, and he shows up for his lunch shift in the kitchens and his shifts in the infirmary on time. He shows up at T'Pol's cabin for meditation, and he's even in the gym sometimes, working out against the bags. It's just that his mile has gone from two minutes to twenty, and he's got an inhaler in his pocket for those times when running or climbing the stairs - he's not taking the elevator, he refuses - gets to be a little too much.

Of course, he knows people are going to notice, but unless someone says something to him first, they're not going to hear a word about it from him. Actions speak louder than words, after all.]

[ooc: If anyone needs a reference, 1, 2, & 3, just with this haircut, still. Feel free to recognize him or not!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You might not want to do that just yet. A lot of things could happen between now and your inmate graduating. You might need to protect her.

[Luna nods, seemingly back to her usual perky self]

Yes, I think so. It's difficult to stay melancholy for days on end; you really have to be determined about it. I've never been the best at remaining consistent.

[He nods.] I thought about that, too. [And as much as he doesn't want to admit it, he'd be stupid to think that he could do as good a job at that, at least, like this as he could, the other way.]

[Either way, he smiles a little more, at that.] You know, you're right. It is - and I'm glad you're not, really. I like it a lot better when you're happy. You make everything around here a little brighter, you know that?

That's very kind of you to say. And I'm happy to have T'Pol with me on dinner shift. She tends to lend an interesting bit of perspective. I can't say I've ever met a Vulcan before. You're lucky.

I mean it. [She's done a lot for this place, and the people in it, just by being herself.

He does look pleased when she compliments T'Pol, simply because his inmate can be frustrating, yes, but he thinks she needs more people to think of her that way, too.] She does, doesn't she? She's teaching me a lot. I'd like to try to do the same, but she's a little stubborn - [he laughs, a bit.] We both are, maybe it's why we're paired.

Thanks for listening to that perspective of hers. I think it might mean a lot to her, even if she never says so.

Of course. It's my pleasure, I learn a lot from her too. Even the things I wasn't meaning to learn at the time.

Sometimes, I think those are the most important lessons - the ones we don't set out to learn.

Oh! Like inmates before they graduate!

I guess so, yeah.

Actually - I was wondering. If I could ask a favor. You can say no, of course, but... T'Pol. I told her that if she didn't trust me about something, or didn't want to talk to me, she could always go to Bucky.

[He pauses.] That's still true, but... I don't think she'll want to do that anymore. I was wondering if you minded if I told her she could come to you, instead.

[She blinks widely, before giving a pleased nod]

Yes.

Yes, absolutely. I'm not so sure she trusts me either, but she should come to me too, if she needs something and you can't get it for whatever reason.

[He looks absolutely relieved, and absolutely grateful.] Thank you. That means a lot.

I'm fairly sure she doesn't trust anybody, but maybe she doesn't trust you less than a lot of other people. And I trust you to do the right thing by her, even if I can't.

I'll be sure to do my best by her, if she asks.

Thanks. I'll let her know. I just think having more than one warden to talk to can be a good thing, sometimes. Get a different point of view, you know?

If you think it would help, then I think so too.

I do. I think she might respect you, at least a little. Even if she doesn't know it.

Either way, I like the idea that she doesn't have to come to me, if she can't.

Can you respect someone without knowing it? I would expect that to be a conscious thought.

But yes. Other than that, I agree.

I think you can. Or maybe it's more that she knows it, she just doesn't want to admit it.

Oh, one of those. I understand.

She's definitely one of those. [But it's okay, he wouldn't really ask her to be any other way.

Even if it is a little frustrating.]

Although you let me know if she gives you any real trouble, okay? At least, the kind you can't handle. Or don't want to.

I did sign on expecting trouble, Mr. Rogers. But I'll be certain to inform you if I am unexpectedly murdered.

[He huffs a little laugh, but,] Okay. Good enough for me.

[But please, Luna, don't get murdered okay?]

[She'll try her best, Steve! That's all anyone can ask]

[That is all! And he'll give her a little salute and a smile, before letting her get to her work.]

☆ 33 ☆ (TEXT; Private to Bucky | SPAM; OTA)

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