controlledvariable | (no subject)

Sure, it really isn't much anyway.

[She sounds a little... wary, maybe, but that's only because she's not sure if that plan might backfire horribly.

Hence:]

I'm not sure if he even liked me, but can I give you some advice?

[Normally he'd just. You know, nod. But in lieu of that--]

Of course.

Whatever secrets you're keeping, don't keep them for too long. You don't know who could show up here or what could change, and secrets have a way of fucking everything up.

[She knows that one from experience.

And yet it doesn't stop her keeping them, but she's a hypocrite like that.]

[With an element of something - sadness, maybe - to his voice, he just. Exhales.]

I know. Believe me when I say I'm not trusting to divine providence on this one. But he's been out of the Second World War for less than two weeks. I'd like him to have a little peace before he hears what I have to say.

There's no peace here.

[It might be quiet at the moment, but she's sure it would've been quiet in the war sometimes. That doesn't mean it's peace.]

More than what we had back home.

[And he doesn't just mean the War.]

[She has enough not to point out things must've been really shit, then.]

Still, don't keep it to yourself too long. It seems like Yao Corp likes playing games, and if they know whatever this is...

[It could be bad.]

I'll keep my head above water, Steph. You don't have to worry.

[It's a mirror to her unspoken statement of earlier.]

Worrying's what I do best, don't take that away from me.

[She figures his comment was enough of a dismissal of the topic that she can roll in with a joke.]

Then you must be an Olympic-level worrier.

[He's still not. Comfortable joking with her, because how does frand, but he's trying.]

[She hums in agreement.]

I've got gold in worrying and in witty comebacks. It's why I have so many friends.

Well, how's one more for the pile?

[Yes he is offering to be your friend, Steph. He's good with people. And words. And pretty women.

Actually none of the above.]

Does this mean we weren't already friends?

[She's hurt, Steve.]

I did only meet you once.

[Faintly teasing.]

Hey, I hadn't even met my boss before I decided we were friends.

[That's because phone calls were a thing.

Also don't lie, Steph, you were terrified of Oracle.]

Sounds a little like friendship roulette.

[In. A weird way. Does she seriously just point and click...]

[pretty much tbh]

It's a lot more fun than the Russian version. [a beat] Actually you might wanna ask my friends about that. Their opinions might differ.

Well, I'm not really one for talking to myself--

[Steven Grant Rogers]

-- But I could always ask Bucky.

[That's cute, and it earns a small chuckle.]

You might not wanna trust his opinion, I think he's biased.

[She means it well, just that she, well, she's noticed how he looks at her. And she doesn't mind, but it is a thing.]

Well, I tend to trust his opinion regardless of bias.

[He keeps his tone light.]

That's cause you're biased too. It's a best friends thing.

[She's the same with Cass.]

Funny how that works, huh?

[But he's all fondness. Having his bff back is actually, honestly starting to sink in and Steve is damn near over the moon about it.]

I'm still getting used to it again.

[Ellie and Peter were basically her best friends in Exsilium, but it was - different. They weren't Cass.]

[Ohh chinhands that's nice she's got someone here.]

Someone from home?

Yeah, it's... a bit complicated. She thought I was dead.

[That's probably more than a bit complicated, but she's talked through it enough times that she doesn't consider it much of a secret anymore.]

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