controlledvariable | (no subject)

[He glances down to his hands.]

Guess that's just the way of the world.

So what you're saying is that I need to find an alternate universe that works opposite to that?

[yes that is exactly what he's saying]

[Blandly,]

You don't think Bucky's cute?

[He has no idea Steph isn't technically single, oop.]

I don't let honesty get in the way of a good joke.

[Jeez, Steve.]

[He shakes his head with a smile.]

Fair enough.

[shrug]

I do think he's cute, though, but you don't need to worry about giving me the regular best friend threat.

[She knows how best friends work.]

[???]

'Best friend threat'? Am I missing something?

[Things that don't even occur to him to do: that.]

The whole "if you break his heart I'll break your face" thing.

[doesn't everyone do that??????

She's pretty sure Saul got it from at least ten people.]

[UM.]

First of all, Sergeant Barnes can take care of himself. Second of all, even if he couldn't there's no way he'd want me to threaten a dame on his behalf.

[He's honestly halfway to scandalized over here wow.]

You past people are so weird. My boyfriend got death threats when we started dating.

[Steph that's bc he's almost old enough to be your dad]

[Wow excuse you.]

I'm not going to say it never happened, but it was usually fathers to their daughter's dates, not-- you know, best friends to the girls they were stepping out with.

What else are best friends for?

[overprotective best friend 4lyf]

[He could brush it off, but he doesn't. Instead he gives the question - rhetorical as it may be - a moment's serious consideration. Finally,]

Having your back through anything. Least that's always what it meant to me.

I always found it to involve a lot of being knocked unconscious for my own good.

[thx Cass]

[Eyebrow up.]

Yeah that's never really been my style. Or Jim's.

[Who the hell is J-- oh.]

Cass is special like that.

[Steph loves her. But still.]

She is.

[That's genuine. He believes it whole-heartedly and not just because she's been creeping into his and Buck's room at night to curl up with whoever isn't on watch. She's one of a very spare group of people he liked almost instantly, and his tone is immeasurably fond.]

But that doesn't make it right.

[He can only hope she's learned.]

[Steph just shrugs.]

She does what she has to. If you find me passed out on a rooftop you'll know who was behind it.

[Being knocked out: nbd]

Have you ever talked to her about it?

[Because um.]

I think I got kinda pissed when she did it, but it was a while ago for me. We're from different times and we haven't worked together that much when I'm from.

[He exhales.]

Sorry to hear it.

[She tilts her head, curious]

What're you sorry for?

That you've been apart. Best friend thing.

[He and Bucky are both fairly independent people, but the difference is that while they can function just fine apart, they're better together. Always have been.]

She left. It happens.

[Steph left first, but that wasn't entirely her choice. Cass just... dumped Batgirl on Steph and disappeared.

And she's not bitter, really, but there's still pain there.]

[A slightly awkward pause. Then,]

Do you want to talk about it?