controlledvariable | (no subject)

[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?

There's not much to say. She just hopped on a plane and never came back.

[With another shrug she stands up to head to the sink and wash up her bowl. She needs to do something with her hands.]

[He follows her into the kitchen, though he doesn't try to help or hover. Just leans against the counertop a short distance away and folds his arms.]

No idea why?

She had to find herself or something like that.

[Steph never understood it. Cass was never loyal to Bruce, she was loyal to the symbol.]

[Weird, how he gets that. He tips his head off to one side. He's never been good at this kind of small talk, it feels enough like gossip that it's making him uncomfortable, and he's not entirely sure why Steph is telling him all this, or what she wants or needs in return.]

It sounds like she's been through a lot. You both have. Sometimes it's-- hard to be a good friend to someone else if you don't know who you are first.

It doesn't matter.

[If Steve feels awkward, Steph is twice as much, because it's occured to her that she doesn't have anyone to talk to, there's no one here she trusts enough just yet, and she needs that.

She puts the dishes away almost automatically, freeing her hands so she can press her fingers against her arm, where the tracker is hidden. Its an unconscious gesture, something she used to do back in Exsilium to comfort herself when she needed it.

When she looks back at Steve, she gives him a crooked grin.]

Pretty sure I was here for your tragic backstory, not mine.

[It sparks one in him, reflexive. His is somewhat wry.]

We can't do both?

I'm gonna need a drink if we get into that. It's kind of a long one.

I don't think there's any alcohol in Haven. I've got tea, though.

[Courtesy Peggy, because she's the best.]