Bucky Barnes (thebuckyclause) wrote in angelnet, @ 2019-08-20 18:51:00 |
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Entry tags: | bucky barnes |
Who: Tony Stark, Bucky Barnes, Steve Royama
When: Current
Where: Tony Stark's apartment above the thrift shop
What: Tony's chatting with Steve via a tablet, and Bucky in the morning. Bucky's delighted by the lack of rationing, and still getting used to the serum enhanced appetite he's got (let alone the hunger from simply being imprisoned.)
Rating/Warnings:
Status: Complete
Clothes seem like a good start. "Do you want to see a second hand shop, or do you want to see how ordering with the internet would work? Or other preferences?" Tony's got coffee, and he woke up to omelets. And Steve watching a step by step video for how to omelet. He's right now at the counter, at the shop, half working on a toy that seemed to have some bad wiring in it.
“I’m good for trying out a shop for a couple things for right now.” Bucky says. “Maybe a couple shirts and a pair of pants, one of shorts or something and order the rest?” Steve had brought over a couple packages of underwear with a few different styles, not sure what he would be comfortable for, so he’s set with those for a while, and with figuring that out for himself. He was a little surprised there are options for fabrics now, but with summer heat, cotton boxer shorts are winning right now.
“Shoes too.” Steve suggests, from the tablet in the corner where he’s in on a group call right now. He’s mostly been off this week, with his boss’s granddaughter visiting, but right now, he’s waiting for volunteer hours at the kids’ hospital he’s started hanging out at, from the comfort of a really nice lounge, which, ironically enough, is decorated in Avenger’s themed decals on one side, and Disney Princesses on the other. He’s sitting between Cinderella on the pink and pale blue side of the wall, and a giant Tony on the red and darker blue side. The couch he’s perched on has a cheerful pattern of stars in the fabric and there are several toys and books neatly arranged in the background. He’s running a Dungeons and Dragons game with the older kids today and hadn’t wanted to miss it, even with Bucky being here. Bucky? Had totally understood that logic. Disappointing kids is never good. He’ll come with Steve, sometime, but he has no idea how the game works or what it is. Still, he could play checkers or something, right?
For now, though, settling in is better for him.
Tony's kind of worried about shocking kids at the hospital, but - well - they're in the hospital. Guy who came back from the war without a lot of normal clothes is probably a Tuesday for them in comparison. "I'm up for that. Anything else you want me to pick up, Steve? Since we'll be out. I'm thinking of the store, maybe - the co-op? I can do that solo, if you're feeling tired, Bucky."
Since he could see people and noises and everything being super - intense. Even if Bucky's over there looking night and day better for some sleep and clean clothes without prison dirt / sweat on them.
Well, Bucky’s not going to come out and tell them who he IS, unless it seems like a good idea, and Tony wouldn’t need to do it either, since they couldn’t recognize him. Bucky thinks he’s probably pretty able to go under the radar since he doesn’t look a lot like the movie guy in anything but his face right now. He’s not really sure where the long hair came from, and it looks good on the guy in the posters but he doesn’t want it for himself or anything. It seems really uncomfortable, actually, and hard to deal with. But, yeah, it’s not something they have to think about today.
“I’m good to get a look at what’s all out here.” Bucky grins. “Can we go somewhere that has those little goldfish crackers though? Not sure what it is, but I really like them.” And he’s been really, really hungry since he got here. Way more than he ever had at home. He’d thought it might have to do with the being in prison thing, but Steve says it’s to do with the serum and that it’ll slow down enough so he can feel normal once he’s more adjusted to his body. Bucky HAS noticed that his chest is a little broader, and his muscles more defined, but not as much as Steve’s change. Still. He’s slowly getting used to those changes too,
“Let’s see for me…” Steve says. “Bananas, for sandwiches, and maybe something to make juice with if they have anything good in at the co-op? Otherwise, we could just make a great big pitcher of lemonade. It’s too hot to drink a ton of soda right now.”
Tony nods. "Want some second breakfast before we head out, Bucky? Or we could get something." He's punching the shopping list into his phone. "I'm putting peanut butter on the list too. I think I'm low on it."
“Maybe a little more toast.” Bucky says. “And that’s a good idea if we’re doing bananas. And I could always use more coffee.” He leans over to grab some. “And uh maybe…” he eyedarts a bit, looking sort of hopeful, like a kid about to ask Santa for a really special Christmas present.
Steve’s catching that look onscreen and smiling.
“I know that look. That’s the man in need of pancakes one, isn’t it?”
“I…” Bucky ducks his head, a little embarrassed. “They’re my favorite. Blueberry or chocolate chip or banana or apple or wheat or plain or buckwheat...I just...really like them.”
"So apples, chocolate chip, and pancake mix, I'd say. We can make our own, but as long as you're healing, I bet we'll be doing lots of small meals. I . . . had to do that," Tony feels weird admitting it. "When I got out of . . . being a hostage. Having regular food again and all."
“I hate that something like that happened to you, but it’s good to know somebody’s around who knows how to do that sort of thing.” Bucky says, smiling a little. “I’m good for that.” And he pauses. “It’s weird, figuring out that there’s so much that you can BUY. I’m still half thinking I can’t have most of this since I don’t have the stamps or there’s just not enough money.”
"I've got a job, so there's that, and -" Tony waves a hand. "You've got the starting money. Things are a lot more expensive than what you paid for things. That's just - changes. The future."
“Yeah, I think...the Depression really makes you think about stuff like that.” Steve says, on the screen. “It’s one of those things you don’t quite get over.” he nods in Tony’s direction. “And yeah, we do all get the money to start, Buck. AND you don’t need stamps because there’s not a war on, so supplies aren’t limited. You could go into any shop that sells it and buy a hundred hersheys and nobody’d stop you.”
Bucky’s eyes get wide at that thought. “It’s funny,. I get it in my head that sugar’s not being rationed, but hearing it put THAT way...I love the future.”
Tony grins. "I'll get some toast started then. Do I have syrup? For the pancakes, I mean. I can't remember if I bought any when I did french toast." He's draining his mug of coffee and moving to work, taking Steve along with him. Well, tablet group chat with Steve along with him. "I forget what was rationed, since I was in school a while back and honestly was the - you know the kid who's incredibly bored because he's already read ahead? Butter was on the list, right? Meat? Sugar and chocolate. Citrus fruit? We're early in the year for it, but the co-op does get local fruit coming in. Grapes just started getting ripe."
“All kinds of stuff, depending on where you were, yeah.” Bucky says. “Oranges were probably easier for Steve to get ahold of, considering the California thing, but sugar, eggs, all kinds of stuff. Grapes sound pretty fantastic, I’ll admit.”
Tony slides a plate of toast and a jar of Nutella with a knife toward Bucky. "Well, if you're feeling tired by the time we're done clothes hunting, I can snap photos at the market and chat about what you'd like? I definitely found I kind of got - too much noise and too much people when I got home, so - I'm trying to leave an exit plan if you need one."
“Sounds fair.” Bucky nods. “We’ll see how it goes. There’s a lot of new stuff out here too, so I guess I need to keep THAT in mind.” he accepts the nutella and adds it fairly liberally. “I keep forgetting it’s not just Civilian life out there but Civilian life seventy some years later.”
"And we're in California, so - uh - slight changes like that." Tony smiles at him. "If we're doing really good, I know where there's a used book store."
“Promising.” Bucky grins. “Hopefully, we’ll get there. If not, I’m up for another time.”
“Definitely” Steve nods to them. “I’ll tag along if it ends up being later, or maybe I could meet you guys today.” He’s relieved that this Bucky, not his, is at least able to go out into the world and do things. He hates that his is still stuck in a trap HYDRA made for him, but since he’s not here, and this Bucky is, he’s going to be as much help as he can, just the same. And then there’s the sound of a cart or something rattling on his end, and some voices in the background.
“Oh hey, Jose, Mike, Jenny...I’m going to have to go guys, my group’s coming in.” He waves to his friends before ending the call, with a little smile and Bucky laughs, turning back to Tony.
“It’s cute he’s reaching out. I think that probably means a lot to him if he’s like my Steve and was sick all the time.”
"It was sort of sweet that he instantly got involved with the - there's some pride festivals, for people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transexual. So you'll hear GLBT, or GLBTQA, for people who prefer queer or people who're asexual and aren't into any of the options." Tony waves a hand. "I felt like I was kind of a wreck because I didn't think about it, but he included me. I sat out on the grass and he was doing face painting."
“Oh that IS interesting.” Bucky nods. “You did say that sort of thing was okay now and people don’t judge. It’s nice to know that sometimes they celebrate it, too. Uh, us, I guess, I’d say that I like both, or maybe that I like everybody is a better way to put it. Transexual is the one where people’s brains don’t match the bodies they were born in and they can take medicines or get surgery to feel more like the right one, right?” And he knows that you don’t use ‘tranny’ because that’s incredibly hurtful.
"Exactly. Research stuff says it's a lot more complex compared to what people thought when I was a kid, so there's a lot of neat stuff if you're curious." Tony grins. "Things got better after the - I guess 70's going till now? And I was born at the end of the 70's. You forget how much things have changed, and then you realize how far things have come."
He's having his own slice of toast. "Ready to get going? Or should I make more toast?"
“I’ll give it a read.” Bucky says, nodding. “I like to know what’s going on around me, after all. And there’s teenagers who use robot suits here to fight off evil?” he sounds bemused by that one, but hey, he’s willing to give it some thought. “I saw something about the power rangers on the news.”
He’s taking the last bite of one slice of toast, and going for his second. “After this, I should be good to go.”
"Yeah. I want to kind of - it doesn't seem fair, making teens fight for you, but that's me and my anxiety." Tony's picking up his bag, and getting two refillable bottles of water for it before tossing in some granola bars. Because seriously. "Right, I'm ready. Got your phone and your copy of the keys?"
Because Tony is not locking Bucky out of here until he . . . feels more safe about it.
“I mean if they’re forced that’s definitely not okay.” Bucky says. “A war’s a little different if you’re eighteen, even though it’s still not really RIGHT, I can see where people MIGHT want to get as many soldiers as possible in. But it was a different time, wasn’t it? I guess if these kids chose it, it might not be horrible. Their parents probably should get a say, but who knows how that’s all working, right? Maybe they do, or maybe they chose to do it like a club. It’s kinda funny to me that someone would want to go around like….” He thinks a moment.
“I dunno, like they’re Superman or Batman or something. Do people just choose to do that? Or does it take more? I know Steve said that he did that kind of thing in the war and that a group of you all did it after, but it’s different if you’re a teenager picking it. I don’t think you’d know what all you’re getting into?” he shrugs.
Bucky’s dropping off his toast plate in the sink, and grabs the keys to jangle playfully in Tony’s face, then pats his shirt pocket where he’s stashed the phone. He had fun last night trying out ‘ringtone’ options and setting them for Steve and Tony’s contacts.
"Well, I think some of it is that - it sounds like I got in it because I cared and I could help, but I also screwed up a lot." Tony shrugs. "I'm not really inclined to get involved here too much. It's not - life and death, and I'd - like to stay out of the weapons business. I'm comfortable just making toys go beep and cleaning typewriters."
Bucky nods, “This world does seem a lot less chaotic than the ones you and Steve talk about. I like that. I’d help, if I’ve got the whole...well some of the super soldier abilities. I think I’d HAVE to, because I have them, but not as a..I’m not gonna go put on tights and give myself a name, you know?”
"You see, I feel more like - you got some screwed up stuff happening, you did the army thing, you've got a right to rest if you want? Steve kind of wants to low key do stuff. Which is - I'm okay with it? I just - dread -" Tony trails off and picks up his bag. Right, moving. "I guess it's kind of - I'm good at making weapons? And people sometimes go, oh hey, can you make this weapon adjacent thing, or fix this, or you're so much better at it. Or I don't want people hurt, so off I go. It's fascinating engineering wise and it's not - super hard? The easier stuff. But I don't . . . want to do that. And I'm not sure - at home - people would listen to me."
“Well, and that’s why I’m not going to go rescuing every kitten from every tree kind of a thing.” Bucky says. “More like a...if I know something bad’s happening in the area, and I’m around, I’d like to show up to help. I could probably, when I know what I’m doing, help rescue people from burning buildings, since Steve thinks I’ll get the super healing like he has and not have lung damage from the smoke, or helping look for missing kids and maybe getting them out of wells or something. I don’t mean, you know, “ he stops to grab a hat on the way out, popping it on, “Fighting every criminal who comes around. I’m not police and I don’t think I’d want to be. And hey, nobody’s got the right to make you make weapons. Especially after what happened to you.”
It does suck that he feels like people wouldn’t listen, though.
"Well, I'm doing - okay? I mean, now." Tony hesitates. "Better even. Change has been good for me." He's leading the way. "I'll point out the neighborhood stuff, if you're curious? Or do you have questions?"
It's warm, and there's some big pots of petunias along the road. Not disgustingly hot, and frankly Tony suspects warmth and sunshine has to be better than any prison in winter. Maybe helps it feel real?
“Sure.” Bucky says. “And if they come up, I’ll let you know?” He’s pretty sure some stuff’s fairly self explanatory after all. And he’s read about how the credit cards work and has his pin number memorized, so he’s pretty good to go. “Are people around here the type to get weird if you look familiar?”
"Usually they kind of - sometimes you get a double glance, but it's very - you know - I think at worst I had someone think I might be a musician and hurry to get me a meal in case if I had to go."
“Promising.” Bucky’s relieved about that one. He figures the explaining thing would probably get awkward if it became an issue.
"I mean, if you went, hi, Bucky here, you might get some weird, but -" Tony shakes his head. "Just as likely to think you're some actor or just some guy. You don't look like the Movie Bucky did for most of the later stuff. Similarly for me and Steve. We're recognizable, from what people said, but not the movie actors. Or the comics look."
He swallows. "I kind of like that? Like I mean, I'm Tony dating Steve, happily here, but I kind of feel like I want to run when I hear folks going oh, that's Tony Stark or The Iron Man. Is that - weird?"
“Steve looks actually like this theatre guy, he said. So probably not noticeable a lot.” Bucky nods. “And that’s good, really. Might get mistaken for the actor but...I can’t be that popular, really. I’m not, you know, one of YOU guys.” Totally not likely to have girls mobbing him at Hot Topic or anything. Not that Bucky really gets the concept of Hot Topic other than it’s a popular store, he learned, while doing some research.
“Yeah, that would get old really fast.”
"Oh trust me, you're popular, in some circles." Tony nudges his hand. "But you can be my nice friend James, if you're feeling like you don't want to deal with it yet?"
“Sounds like a plan.” Bucky nods. “I have NO idea how to go about it, so...better wait until I know what I’m doing, right?” he grins. Admittedly, the idea of being that popular? Is kind of funny to him, but still. Better to wait.
"So - uh - Greek place. Good burgers. Good guacamole." Tony frowns. "Was that a thing? Avocados were kind of California mostly, weren't they in the 40's?"
“Uh hmm doesn’t really sound familiar. Steve mentioned tacos are a thing and quacamole goes with that, I think?” Bucky says, nodding. “Worth checking out.”
"They're weird looking fruit and really buttery. Usually they're mashed up into things, or chopped up. And there's some meatless recipes that use them as butter replacements." Tony waves a hand. "Steve's got a tree near his house with them. Shall we pick up a pack of guacamole to try? We could dip the fish crackers in them."