punched_hitler | ☆ 6 ☆ (VIDEO)

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☆ 6 ☆ (VIDEO)

So I know it's only been two days, but anyone who's made it through two days of Basic so far - trust me. It could be worse. [He cocks a wry grin. Bucky's not the worst drill sergeant Steve's seen, and besides:] You could have asthma.

[Yeah, he's pretty sure he almost died at least ten times during Basic. And he got the much abbreviated version.

Anyway.]

If anyone's got any questions, or just wants to get in some extra practice with a different face, let me know. But, [he raises one finger,] I'm not your Drill Sergeant, and I'm not about to contradict anything he says just because you want to hear he's wrong - because he's not. [So just keep that in mind. Steve might be helping Bucky, but Bucky's in charge here.]

[PRIVATE TO MINDY MACREADY]
Hey. Just because I'm not your temporary warden anymore doesn't mean we need to ignore each other, right? Remember, I'm right down the hall if you need anything - whether it's a couch or a punching bag. [Literally or figuratively.

Still, he doesn't want to push. She doesn't seem like she'd respond well to that. He can only offer, she's got to take him up on it. So.] Otherwise... I'm sure I'll see you in the gym.

[PRIVATE TO VEX]
[He's seen Vex on the network, but they've never spoken. Now, though, it looks like that's going to have to change.] I guess I should introduce myself - I'm Captain Rogers. Or you can call me Steve. I admit, I don't know much about you - but I'd like to think I'm a pretty good listener.

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This is my skeptical face, Steve.

And it's a good one.

But I think you'll be pleasantly surprised? I mean, you can get used to anything, when you've got to.

[He goes silent at those words and then he nods slowly.]

Yeah. You're right about that.

[Whoops look he didn't mean it in the horrible way. Even if that's true, too.]

Hey. It's really not so bad - I mean, okay. It is bad. But it'll be good to know. And I hope no one here ever needs to use a single thing Bucky's got to teach.

[You and Scott and your eternal optimism, Steve. He loves you guys for it, even if he rarely acknowledges it.]

Well, I hope not too. [They will, though. He's pretty sure about that. It's the nature of their lives.]

I also won't say no to extra training of any kind.

[No acknowledgement needed, pal. Maybe it'll rub off on you and Bucky, someday.]

I guess it's just a case of preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.

Which is a good outlook to have, if you ask me. I mean, the trick is to find your strengths and train those, I think. [Because everyone is good at something, and it's not always the same things. But that's why you work as a group, right?]

[If wishes were horses...]

Yeah, pretty much. [Or in Stiles' case, preparing for and expecting the worst. Dude is not optimistic.]

And uh -- what happens if I literally have like, no strengths when it comes to this stuff? I mean, that's never really been something I'm good at.

[Something like that.

Dude. We can work on that.]

I didn't mean just physical strengths. Anything's game, and you're not good at nothing.

[Pessimist or not.]

[He knows that Steve's right on that. And while he has a tendency to underestimate himself, he also has a pretty clear idea about the kinds of things he's good at. He switches the feed to private.]

[Private]

I'm pretty good at putting the pieces of a puzzle together. And I don't mean actual puzzle pieces.

[Steve had to rely on something other than strength for most of his life. Sure, he wanted strength, but you sort of learn to use what you have, all the same. That's probably been one of the most valuable lessons he's ever learned.]

That's good - that's important. Anybody can throw a punch. It takes someone with talent to know how and where to put it to make sure it does what it's supposed to, if you get what I mean.

[Wars can be won by force, but at a horrible price. Strategy is the most important weapon anyone could have.]

[Stiles used to want to be physically stronger. Until he was. And then he wanted more than anything just to be himself again. And now he is.

He can't help but smile -- genuinely smile -- at Steve's words. Because yeah. He gets it. He nods.]

Yeah. I get it. Thank you.

[Being physically stronger has its perks. But it's definitely not everything.

Either way, Steve is glad he gets it, because he could be more valuable than anyone else, in the right circumstances.] Hey, just being honest. If that's what you're good at - then I think we can probably find a couple of ways to keep you occupied.

Although I don't think it'll get you out of running, in the meantime.

[That earns Steve a short chuckle, at least.]

I promise that's not what I was aiming for. [He drums his fingers on the desk in front of him.] Running's not my favorite thing but even I see the necessity. [He shrugs.] Plus it'll come in handy for lacrosse even when I'm not running for my life.

That's good, 'cause I don't think even I could help you with that one.

[And okay, Steve really, really likes running. A lot. But he realizes he's kind of biased. Still -] Lacrosse does seem to involve an awful lot of running. It's definitely good training.

So's this, [he adds, tapping his temple. He means that even figuring out how not to get "killed" is going to come in handy.] Strategy's strategy, right?

Oh, I don't know about that. [He smirks and shakes his head. He's pretty sure there's literally nothing Bucky wouldn't do for Steve, the same way there isn't anything Stiles wouldn't do for Scott.]

Yeah. [It's worked so far. Except that one time. But that was still different. That was the strategy.]

Speaking of lacrosse. How are you feeling about it? Are you liking it?

[Okay, point; Steve knows it, but it also goes both ways - and he figures both Stiles and Scott would say the same thing.

But even so,] Hey, I can't go giving you special treatment, can I? Kind of defeats the We're all in this together attitude.

[Although he definitely brightens and nods.] Yeah - you know, I like it a lot. Now I'm regretting the fact that I never got to try it earlier. I hope we're all not murdering the game as it should be played too badly?

[Stiles grins and shrugs a shoulder.]

Yeah, I suppose it would.

[His own smile brightens when Steve tells him he likes the game. One of his favorite superheroes likes lacrosse. Awesome.]

No, not at all. Everyone's doing pretty well with it, actually. I think it's going great so far.

And I think it's a great thing to have around here. [It lets people socialize, and lets them work off some energy.] It's probably one of the better sports you could pick to play onboard, too - although I wouldn't say no to some football.

[He's always wanted to play that one, and never gotten the chance.]

Yeah, I agree. It's just violent enough for people to work out their aggression a little without going overboard.

[He arches his eyebrows.]

You could always start up a football team. Even if it's just a casual thing. I'm sure there are other people who'd be interested.

Exactly. [Which may be a good thing, if things get too tense around here.]

Huh - I guess I could, maybe. Might even get a different cross-section of people, you know?

[He'll think about it.]

Especially if people miss watching the Super Bowl.

[He's only seen it twice, but... wow. It's sure a production.]

Yeah, it'd be good to get more people involved. Since lacrosse isn't everyone's thing.

[He likes football, but he's pretty sure he'll just end up breaking bones if he plays. He'll definitely come watch though.]

I'm sure there are a lot of people that do.

[A nod.] It could wait until the lacrosse... uh, season is over. If we're doing anything resembling seasons.

[Aw, come on. It could be flag football?]

I wonder if we could tune in here. Maybe put in a request ahead of time.

[He does know Super Bowl parties are a thing.]

Yeah, I think we should do it seasonally so people don't get burned out. Back home we alternate with cross country. [He shrugs.]

Oh, good idea. We can always ask, right?

[He nods.] I do hear it's good to be well-rounded.

Besides, it's probably a safer betting pool than the one Chris has going, huh? [You know, the one about how things are going to go to hell every month?]

[He smirks at that.] It'll be a less disturbing betting pool anyway.

☆ 6 ☆ (VIDEO)

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