☆ 1 ☆ (VIDEO)

[punched_hitler]

[The video shows Steve, wearing his uniform because it seemed… well, the most reasonable thing to wear, for a “mission” like this.]

Just when I thought I’d gotten the hang of texting. [He smiles a little, as if more to himself than anything, then moves, reaching to unstrap the dark helmet from beneath his chin, pulling it off and setting it aside to reveal short blonde hair. He's in his cabin, which pretty much just looks like a generic 2014-era apartment.] We’ll do this over video. I guess it’s more personal, anyway. I’m Captain Rogers. I guess I'm here to help.

Because if you’re here, then it means you deserve that help. Everyone deserves a second chance - [He pauses, lips quirking a little in a wry sort of half-smile.] Well. Everyone here, anyway. That’s what I believe. [Because there are exceptions, but he’s not here to give in to exceptions. He’s here to prove the rule.]

Not everyone gets the luxury of signing up, though, so if you’re still confused about… all of this, then trust me. I know how you feel. [He might have signed up for this, but he’s definitely been on a couple of trips he didn’t sign up for.] You’ll get used to it. People can get used to just about anything – and I’d like to believe that’s a strength, rather than a weakness.

[A pause.] Oh – and if anyone needs a sparring partner at the gym… I guess I’d better stay sharp. Just let me know. [He doesn’t plan to stay here forever, after all.] I didn’t bring any extra punching bags with me. [A helpless smile? Then he's done.]

Comments

[voluntaryapnea]

Sure thing. We get a lot of practice. A lot of people have been showing up lately.

[Although admittedly, Stiles doesn't usually smile this much. At least not recently. But it's genuine because he's happy for Bucky.]

[punched_hitler]

Yeah? Well, I guess when there's a need...

Have you been here long? [He feels like he's asking everyone, but it gives him a better idea of how things seem to run around here. Every little bit helps.]

[voluntaryapnea]

Yeah, for more reasons than one. [And by that he means for wardens and inmates alike -- there's a need.]

For about two months. So not too long yet. [And don't worry, Stiles asked that of nearly everyone he talked to right at first, and for the same reason.]

Have you come across any familiar faces here so far? [...he's not super subtle.]

I am going to assume this is after he *does* run into that familiar face ;D

[punched_hitler]

[He nods. The norm - okay, the norm among the answers he's gotten so far - is a couple of months, but he's heard up to a year.] Got it.

[He blinks - and then wonders if maybe this guy doesn't know what's up, somehow, because] Actually, yeah. One, so far. [And he looks relieved - like you'd expect - except for the maybe tiny bit of worry that it's pretty much impossible for him to ignore.]

You... look like you already knew the answer to that.

[Oh, he's not accusing - more bemused.]

Works for me :D

[voluntaryapnea]

[Stiles watches him carefully -- there's something there that's not just relief, but he can't place it. But there's something.]

Yeah, I...kinda did. Bucky's a friend. He may have mentioned you. [He leans back in his desk chair.]

o/

[punched_hitler]

[Yeah.. he's doing his best to ignore that something. Even if he's bad at hiding things.]

Yeah? Well, it's a privilege to meet any friend of his. But then I hope you don't mind if I ask your name?

[voluntaryapnea]

[Another reason that Steve reminds Stiles of Scott. Scott is terrible at hiding things.]

Oh, right. Stiles Stilinski. Nice to meet you, too.

[punched_hitler]

Stiles - ah. Bucky did mention you. And something about a lacrosse team? I've never played, but if you still need to fill out a team... [He'd love to give it a try. He's seen people playing it, it's sort of popular on the East Coast.]

[voluntaryapnea]

Yeah! Me and my buddy Scott are starting up a league. Love to have you with us. And it's okay that you haven't played before. Most people here haven't. We can teach you.

[punched_hitler]

Great, I'm glad to hear it. I actually... don't have a lot of experience with team sports, but I'm a fast learner. At least I won't be behind the entire class.

[Look, he was pretty much always chosen last - or not at all - his whole life.]

[voluntaryapnea]

No problem, man. Really. I only stopped warming the bench a few months ago myself. And we've only had one practice so far.

[He knows what that's like. And so does Scott. Except now Scott is a werewolf and pretty much the star player of the team back home.]

[punched_hitler]

Good to know I haven't missed too much.

[Yeah, Steve's made that transition (well, not the exact same one, but you know) and it's still a little weird. But he does like the fact that he can play sports without falling dead on the floor now!]

Is this Scott the same one from California? [Although it isn't a totally uncommon name.]

[voluntaryapnea]

You definitely haven't.

And yeah. I think he's the only Scott on the Barge. At least as far as I know. Scott McCall, from Beacon Hills, California. [His smile is back again now.]

[punched_hitler]

Right - then I've met him. Good to know you two are from the same place. I'll bet it's nice, huh? [Honestly, he never expected to know anyone from home, but it is nice - except for the tiny part where it's not.]

[voluntaryapnea]

[Stiles pauses at that, not entirely sure if Steve's asking if it's nice that Scott's there or if it's nice in Beacon Hills. The first choice is a definite yes, the second...not so much. At least not anymore.]

Yeah, it's good to have him here. It'd be really weird not to have him around.

[Aside from when he was possessed, the two of them have rarely been apart for more than a couple of days.]

[punched_hitler]

[Whoops, yeah. The former was what he meant! He nods.] Glad to hear it. Honestly... it's not much fun being anywhere without a friend. Even when you know it's necessary. [Or unavoidable.] Gotta have someone to keep you out of trouble, right?

[voluntaryapnea]

Yeah, that's the truth. Especially the part about having someone to keep me out of trouble.

[His grin is wry and a bit sheepish now. Because Scott McCall's been bailing him out of trouble for years. Regularly.]

[punched_hitler]

Don't I know it. I'll let you in on a secret - if Bucky told you he's the one keeping me out of trouble, it's a lie. Try the other way around.

[Except no, it's not a lie, and the look of his face should say he's kidding.]

[voluntaryapnea]

Oh, I see. So Bucky's the troublemaker in the friendship?

[Yep, Stiles reads that pretty easily and grins.]

[punched_hitler]

Absolutely.

Besides, he was always pulling me out of fights way too soon.

[Yeah, okay, and saving his skin in the process, but it feels nice to joke about it, okay?]

[voluntaryapnea]

[He can't help but chuckle at that. At least Scott hasn't had to pull him out of too many fights in their thirteen year long friendship. He can pretty much count them all on one hand. And Scott, aside from a couple of rough times during his first few full moons, isn't really a fighter. Which is hilarious and full of irony considering he's an alpha werewolf.]

Don't you just hate when that happens?

[punched_hitler]

Oh, it's the worst. Always when I had 'em on the ropes, about to run. And he takes all the credit.

[And God, he missed hanging out with Bucky. Maybe this place won't be so bad, after all.] But I'm hoping there aren't too many scuffles around here. Though I'm guessing there are a few.

[voluntaryapnea]

And all the fun.

[He shakes his head, grinning.]

Yeah, once in awhile. My friend Dean that -- well he went back home recently -- he was teaching me some self-defense stuff. Apparently he got punched a lot.

[punched_hitler]

Definitely all the fun.

Yeah? I hope he taught you how to take a punch, then. Practice does make perfect.

[voluntaryapnea]

Yeah, he did. I mean I had some limited experience with that already, but it helped.