punched_hitler | ☆ 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I don't give up easily. I'll never give up on Allison, so that's not really a problem. [She's at her most sincere when she says this. Because the entire reason why she's here is to bring Allison back. The reason she died back home in the first place was to protect her. She was trying to save her. And she did. She saved all of them with her silver arrowheads.

So no.

Giving up on her best friend, no matter how bad it gets isn't an option. Giving up on Stiles and Scott who have done nothing but support her and take her in isn't an option either, but that's an entirely different matter.]

I was just wondering if there was a better way to approach her with this. An easier way to make her understand that there are better ways and that she's not responsible for me or the others.

[Lydia smiles softly at his offer. Just like Scott would offer, she should have expected this, too.]

I think between Scott, Isaac, Stiles and I, we should be able to get through to her. But I will definitely ask if it gets out of hand.

Hopefully we can stop her from reaching the something stupid status.

That's good to hear - and she's lucky to have a friend like you. Like all of you. [Because from what he can tell, these Beacon Hills kids are all a pretty tight-knit group, and that was before he'd heard the term "pack" thrown around. He knows what that means - maybe a little better than he should, but there was that flood, so he really does understand.

And he's not lying when he says Allison's lucky. She is. But she's also stubborn, and that, he is familiar with.

That is pretty much Bucky to a "T", and he isn't sure he has a good answer for that one.] I don't know that you'll ever be able to convince her otherwise. But think about it this way - if she didn't feel responsible, would she still be the same Allison?

I think the trick is to... let her be responsible, but figure out a way to make sure she's a little less reckless while she does it.

[At that, he's got to smile a little helplessly.] I'm still working on that one, myself. But if I get any bright ideas, I promise I'll let you know.

[And he nods.] I think with all of you on your side, you've got a pretty good chance of keeping her out of serious trouble. But you just have to ask, if you do need a hand.

With anything, all right? [Because there has been some crazy shit going down and he doesn't know all of it, but he doesn't like what he does know.]

I'm sorry, I wish I had a better answer for you. She's... she sounds a lot like Bucky, actually. And I don't think he'll ever really figure out that I can bail myself out of my own fights.

[Lydia considers that, she knows there is definitely truth to what he's asking her to think about. No, she'd not be the same Allison. She wouldn't be the hunter ready to take action and protect the pack. She might even lose some of that and it'd be too late when they actually need it. And Lydia doesn't want that, she does want her to be less reckless though.]

Maybe we can help each other come up with ways to keep our best friends out of trouble. [And she extends that to Scott, with Stiles. Not that she won't help with Stiles as well, of course she is. But she knows that there will be times when the boys just really need each other.]

Your answers already helped me a lot. Thank you. And I'm available if you need anything, too. If you need help or to talk. [Because considering the time difference between him and his best friend, she can only guess there are things Bucky doesn't really understand about Steve's future.]

[It's definitely a challenge - letting someone who's naturally protective be themselves without, ideally, actually putting themselves in danger every second of every day. Sometimes it's impossible. But as their friend... you have to try, and Steve understands that.

So he smiles lopsidedly, nodding.] Two heads are better than one, right? [Maybe between the two of them, they can come up with a method that works. Or is at least less likely to fail.

Though he looks both happy to help and grateful, all at the same, time, when she offers.] Thank you. I appreciate that too, Lydia.

[He'll try not to take her up on it, because of course he's not the smartest and he likes to deal with things on his own, too. But it's really, really nice having the offer. And you never know.]

Definitely better than one. [She smiles as she nods her agreement. She figures at least Scott will help them with whatever necessary, but he's way more involved than Steve is and she understands the importance of outside perspective.

Her smile turns into a smirk at his thank you.] Just do take me up on it when you need it, okay?

[Because she knows how selfless people like Steve (and Scott) can be. She knows how hard it is for them to ask for help because they feel like it's their job to save and protect everyone else. And considering how much they can do for everyone else, she knows how important it is to keep them okay.]

[He looks a little sheepish, but his grateful smile does stay put, even if she's going to give him that look. Yeah, it's one he knows pretty well.] I - can promise to try. How's that?

I'll accept that. For now. [She knows the two of them aren't close, but if she realizes something is up with him in the future, she just might poke at him now that she gave him that disclaimer.]

[His grin is still sheepish - but it softens after a minute.] It's good to have people like you on board, Lydia.

You say that now. [She's teasing, so she adds a smile that is completely sincere.]

You too, Steve.

I don't think I'm ever changing my mind on that one.

Thanks.

☆ 6 ☆ (VIDEO)

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