controlledvariable | (no subject)

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.]

I know.

[The struggle is so real. She doesn't even like to drink, but god could she use one.]

But where the hell did you get tea?

[Mischievously,]

I know a dame that knows a guy... you know.

What, a guy who can summon tea?

[She won't let this go. Because:]

Can this guy summon coffee too?

I wish. Sounds like they haven't had coffee here for months now.

[He misses army coffee like you would not believe. Even if caffeine doesn't work on him so well.]

I'm starting to think I need to just sew some coffee beans into the lining of my clothes so I don't keep getting stuck without it.

[help her]

[Eyebrows up.]

Go big or go home, I say. Why not one of those fancy single serve machines? Starts with a K?

[SHIELD HQ has one, but he always bought his coffee from a little old man that pushed a cart around downtown Washington.