![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[Typically Cass is the type to share when things are scarce, but this is clearly meant just for her. She hoards it for herself, scaling her building and finding herself a nice shaded corner and using one of the prongs of her batgrapple to pry the lid open.
Like you do.]
Like you do.]
[He's coming back from a patrol - his last of the night - when she calls to him from the rooftop. Rather than reply verbally he waves and with a brief, considering glance at the building takes a running jump to scale it. He moves with quick efficiency and reaches the top in scarce seconds.]
Cass. Hey.
[His tone is full of warmth and he smiles when he sees the tin - glad to see she got it. He holds out an arm for a hug, knowing she'll read the intent of it in his body language and leaving it up to her to accept it. Steve doesn't touch people voluntarily very often ouside of sparring.]
Cass. Hey.
[His tone is full of warmth and he smiles when he sees the tin - glad to see she got it. He holds out an arm for a hug, knowing she'll read the intent of it in his body language and leaving it up to her to accept it. Steve doesn't touch people voluntarily very often ouside of sparring.]
[There's no getting around the fact that when she sees those things in his body language, the fact that the peaches were from him and he's willing to give her a hug, her face lights up like she's been given the greatest present in the world. She's crossing over to him in an instant, more than happy to put her arms around him and take full advantage of his offer.
Barely friends a week and he's spoiling her already. It's more than she feels she deserves, but she doesn't feel guilty accepting.]
Good patrol? [Now that he knows about her body reading, she doesn't bother hiding it.] Find anything interesting?
Barely friends a week and he's spoiling her already. It's more than she feels she deserves, but she doesn't feel guilty accepting.]
Good patrol? [Now that he knows about her body reading, she doesn't bother hiding it.] Find anything interesting?
[He knows she isn't fragile, but the way she'd been raised he couldn't condone using force against her in any respect - sparring, maybe, but this? No. He loops an arm around her shoulders, very gently. He's a man who is hyper-conscious of his strength, and what can be done with it.]
A whole lotta the same.
[ie: 'nothing'.]
How've you been?
A whole lotta the same.
[ie: 'nothing'.]
How've you been?
[Him too. SHIELD never gave him a lot of down-time between missions, which suited him just fine. Kept him busy. Kept him restless, and from putting down roots in a world he wasn't sure he liked much.
Now? He's just tired.]
If you ever need a sparring partner, I'm sure you've got a few things to teach me.
[The statement is the tiniest bit playful, but not teasing. He means it genuinely. He's decent at reading body language and intent in people's blows, but he's nowhere near as good at it as she is. As she's had to be.]
Now? He's just tired.]
If you ever need a sparring partner, I'm sure you've got a few things to teach me.
[The statement is the tiniest bit playful, but not teasing. He means it genuinely. He's decent at reading body language and intent in people's blows, but he's nowhere near as good at it as she is. As she's had to be.]
Definitely.
[She rolls her shoulders as they put distance between them, studying his body and sizing him up. He's obviously got the height on her, possibly the strength. Probably the strength, even if she could easily lift him over her head if she wanted to. There's more to him than human strength and there's something very exciting about that.]
You can't hurt me. Don't hold back.
[She rolls her shoulders as they put distance between them, studying his body and sizing him up. He's obviously got the height on her, possibly the strength. Probably the strength, even if she could easily lift him over her head if she wanted to. There's more to him than human strength and there's something very exciting about that.]
You can't hurt me. Don't hold back.
[He, in turn, studies the terrain. He doesn't do a lot of rooftop fighting - most of his urban warfare is done on the ground - but there are things here that could be to his advantage. Or against, he supposes, and there's nowhere to use his shield.
But then, he wouldn't use it with her anyway. He unslings it, flips it over in his hands and then sets it down by a wall as he mulls over what to say. Finally,]
The way I fight for my life and the way I spar with my friends are two different things. The former-- isn't anything I'd ever wish on anyone I care about.
[Steve's combat is hard and brutal, he's forgotten how to fight without anger. Every blow he lands in a real fight is meant to disable or kill outright.]
I'm not sure I can turn that off.
But then, he wouldn't use it with her anyway. He unslings it, flips it over in his hands and then sets it down by a wall as he mulls over what to say. Finally,]
The way I fight for my life and the way I spar with my friends are two different things. The former-- isn't anything I'd ever wish on anyone I care about.
[Steve's combat is hard and brutal, he's forgotten how to fight without anger. Every blow he lands in a real fight is meant to disable or kill outright.]
I'm not sure I can turn that off.
Edited (excuse u typo) 2014-11-04 09:22 (UTC)
[A thrill of hope goes through her, but it's tempered by the fact that she could hold a mirror up and see the same things in herself that she's seeing in Steve right now. It seems best to say that out loud, so she frowns to herself and tries to find the right words for it.]
When I fight, it's with... half, maybe. Maybe less. If I don't hold back? Will kill opponent without trying. I can turn it off. You can, too. Just have to practice.
When I fight, it's with... half, maybe. Maybe less. If I don't hold back? Will kill opponent without trying. I can turn it off. You can, too. Just have to practice.
[A slight smile.]
No time like the present, right?
[He's honestly not sure he wants to let loose on anyone, but he nods at her and shifts his stance into something combat-oriented. He doesn't give her a heads up that he's about to attack, he just does it, trusting her.
Used to be, Steve would have never hit a woman. It almost got him killed once, and Natasha drilled with him for days afterwards until he was sore and bruised and she'd made her point.
Now? He knows better. The gentleman in him still shies away from it, he prefers to fight defensively against women, but he closes his eyes and lets all of that go, for Cass. He's quick and graceful, fearlessness sings in him like a war song, and when he strikes out at her it's direct and powerful, aiming for her solar plexus. There's a little of you can't hurt me either in his body language, and trailing in the shadow of that revelation is, I heal.]
No time like the present, right?
[He's honestly not sure he wants to let loose on anyone, but he nods at her and shifts his stance into something combat-oriented. He doesn't give her a heads up that he's about to attack, he just does it, trusting her.
Used to be, Steve would have never hit a woman. It almost got him killed once, and Natasha drilled with him for days afterwards until he was sore and bruised and she'd made her point.
Now? He knows better. The gentleman in him still shies away from it, he prefers to fight defensively against women, but he closes his eyes and lets all of that go, for Cass. He's quick and graceful, fearlessness sings in him like a war song, and when he strikes out at her it's direct and powerful, aiming for her solar plexus. There's a little of you can't hurt me either in his body language, and trailing in the shadow of that revelation is, I heal.]
Edited (phrasing tweak AND AGAIN I shouldn't tag when I'm tired I'm sorry omg) 2014-11-04 10:53 (UTC)
[ There was no Batgirl in the room ten seconds ago. There is now +1 Cass cuddling him. What do? ]
[ Softly, ] Hey sweetheart. You're tired huh?
[ He puts a blanket over her, with care, rubbing his eyes with his other hand. It's almost morning, he judges about two or three hours left, and anyway he's getting used to needing less sleep. ]
[ Softly, ] Hey sweetheart. You're tired huh?
[ He puts a blanket over her, with care, rubbing his eyes with his other hand. It's almost morning, he judges about two or three hours left, and anyway he's getting used to needing less sleep. ]
[She comes in by the window, with so little sound he almost missed it. Steve is standing beside it, leaning against it and looking out at the billboard in a silent vigil when she eases it open and creeps inside. She flashes a sleepy-looking smile and presses a finger to her lips as she makes a beeline for Bucky's bed and curls up, cat-like against his metal arm.
Steve eases the window back down to keep out a draft and pulls up a stool beside them, instead. He doubts there's anything that could get past the three of them, and wishes that he had something to read. Instead, he reaches for his uniform and starts repairing one of its tears, unhindered by the low light.]
Steve eases the window back down to keep out a draft and pulls up a stool beside them, instead. He doubts there's anything that could get past the three of them, and wishes that he had something to read. Instead, he reaches for his uniform and starts repairing one of its tears, unhindered by the low light.]
[When Cass passes out, she passes out like a champ. Patrols have always been something she put every ounce of herself into, not willing to stop until she had no more energy or the sun came up. Here in Haven, constantly keeping the limited food supply in mind is also a factor. It would be stupid to push herself too hard and loose more energy than the small meals here can replenish, so she does her best to go home to her own bed sooner rather than later.
Tonight, she just doesn't make it all the way to her home. She finds a different home instead, one that's welcoming and warm and far more comfortable than her own empty bed.
She doesn't like to be alone and Bucky and Steve understand that. They don't want her to be alone either. The moment her head is resting on a metal pillow, she's out until Bucky wakes her up by speaking but even then she refuses to wake up completely. When she speaks, it's a muffled mumbling kind of thing.]
Mm hmm. Sun's coming soon. Just wanted... small nap, first...
Tonight, she just doesn't make it all the way to her home. She finds a different home instead, one that's welcoming and warm and far more comfortable than her own empty bed.
She doesn't like to be alone and Bucky and Steve understand that. They don't want her to be alone either. The moment her head is resting on a metal pillow, she's out until Bucky wakes her up by speaking but even then she refuses to wake up completely. When she speaks, it's a muffled mumbling kind of thing.]
Mm hmm. Sun's coming soon. Just wanted... small nap, first...
[ He chuffs, amused, and checks the blanket is tucked around her properly, comfortable and not constricting. It's not particularly cold in Haven but the spring weather has been getting so on occasion. It's no place to live but it's even less so for someone who's young and used to being on her own, even if she has friends from home here. ]
[ He rubs the sleep from his eyes and looks blearily at Steve, his gaze flicking from the needle to the content expression on Steve's face, and he grins, lopsidedly, before settling down next to Cass and steadying his breathing so she can rest. She chose his left side for a reason. ]
[ He rubs the sleep from his eyes and looks blearily at Steve, his gaze flicking from the needle to the content expression on Steve's face, and he grins, lopsidedly, before settling down next to Cass and steadying his breathing so she can rest. She chose his left side for a reason. ]
[He's got the tear fully repaired by the time the sun's up, and he's examining his work as the light spills in across the windowsill. Satisfied, he folds it up and puts it back with his small collection of items and then heads out into the main area to make breakfast. He and Bucky only eat once a day most of the time, and they try to make it breakfast if they can. It's just easy to get it out of the way so they have enough energy to make it through the day. Feeding two supersoldiers has definitely been a challenge, especially given their collective tendencies to prefer saving food for a rainy day, but-- sometimes you need nice things on good days, too.
Which is why he brings a tray into the room a short while later with three separate chipped dishes with as hearty a breakfast as can be managed here, and even a few fresh raspberries from the garden that he'd been given as a gift.
He doesn't actually say anything, just sits the tray on the stool he'd occupied earlier and waits for Cassandra to wake up properly. Bucky would have woken at his departure from the room.]
Which is why he brings a tray into the room a short while later with three separate chipped dishes with as hearty a breakfast as can be managed here, and even a few fresh raspberries from the garden that he'd been given as a gift.
He doesn't actually say anything, just sits the tray on the stool he'd occupied earlier and waits for Cassandra to wake up properly. Bucky would have woken at his departure from the room.]
[The moment his body resolves itself to this sparring match, it tells a story. She learns his training, his opinions on violence in general, not just towards women. She learns his power on a more intimate scale, not just seeing it like she had before but feeling it, experiencing it for herself and feeling a thrill at the discovery of a new, competent partner, but something about it makes her sad as well.
How long has he felt isolated, alone? It's all through him as his fist comes closer, as she takes his wrist and guides his punch past her so that it doesn't connect. Her grip on him is oddly gentle, more of a suggestion to move than forcing it, guiding the momentum instead of pulling him where she wants him.
Her other hand strikes out, the force of it pulled but not the speed, and she aims it directly at his jaw. If it connects, it will daze him but he'll stay on his feet. Nothing will break, but she'll get a sense of exactly what his body can take. If he blocks, which she thinks he may be able to despite how large he is, she'll see how much power he can put into it, how much strength comes from the very core of him.
Either way, she's happy. Her eyes are attentive to his body and the movements he makes, the things he tells her wordlessly, but she's smiling softly as she strikes at him. This is her world, this is her language. Of course she'll smile when all she has to think about is movement.]
How long has he felt isolated, alone? It's all through him as his fist comes closer, as she takes his wrist and guides his punch past her so that it doesn't connect. Her grip on him is oddly gentle, more of a suggestion to move than forcing it, guiding the momentum instead of pulling him where she wants him.
Her other hand strikes out, the force of it pulled but not the speed, and she aims it directly at his jaw. If it connects, it will daze him but he'll stay on his feet. Nothing will break, but she'll get a sense of exactly what his body can take. If he blocks, which she thinks he may be able to despite how large he is, she'll see how much power he can put into it, how much strength comes from the very core of him.
Either way, she's happy. Her eyes are attentive to his body and the movements he makes, the things he tells her wordlessly, but she's smiling softly as she strikes at him. This is her world, this is her language. Of course she'll smile when all she has to think about is movement.]
[The smell of food wakes her immediately, eyes open and alert and scanning the room first for who is in it before they settle on the food. It's admittedly a struggle to make herself sit up, the bed is warm and comfortable and so is Bucky, so is his arm now that she's poured some of her own body heat into it, but her stomach rumbles and it's impossible to ignore that.
Instead of holding her hand out for a bowl, she waves Steve over.]
Room for you, too.
Instead of holding her hand out for a bowl, she waves Steve over.]
Room for you, too.
[ He's up the moment Steve leaves the room, but he neither moves or changes his rate of breathing, waiting for Cass to stir. There's something aggressively like home that he and Steve have recreated without having to think about it, and she fits into their day without so much as a ripple on the water. ]
You heard the lady.
[ He's been trying, little by little, to accustom Steve to having someone in his personal space again. He's not one for a lotta hugging - his father never did even though his sisters were very free with affection - but it's the best way to help Cass feel at ease and if Steve gets to join in then Bucky's all for it. ]
You heard the lady.
[ He's been trying, little by little, to accustom Steve to having someone in his personal space again. He's not one for a lotta hugging - his father never did even though his sisters were very free with affection - but it's the best way to help Cass feel at ease and if Steve gets to join in then Bucky's all for it. ]
[He hesitates, and then sits on the edge of the bed. It creaks under their combined weight - he and Bucky alone are probably pushing 450 pounds - but it holds, and he fusses briefly with the blanket around Cass, tucking it with care.]
You guys sleep all right?
You guys sleep all right?
[She nods, scrubbing a hand through her hair. There were no nightmares and she woke up to food in bed, how can there be better sleep?]
Don't need much, but it's still nice, sometimes. Better with company.
[She leans into Bucky a little, a quick nudge before she's taking her weight off him again.]
Don't need much, but it's still nice, sometimes. Better with company.
[She leans into Bucky a little, a quick nudge before she's taking her weight off him again.]
[ Bucky adjusts, so that his weight is more evenly spread out - the cot is doing fine but he doesn't want to risk breaking it. He grins at them both, exceptionally pleased with this start to his day. ]
Slept like a baby. [ he smiles at Cass, his body language sings, hello, I'm happy with you and Steve here ] Better with company, too.
Slept like a baby. [ he smiles at Cass, his body language sings, hello, I'm happy with you and Steve here ] Better with company, too.
[Steve's, by contrast, isn't quite so loudly pleased but instead is quiet and contented. Bucky never got enough sleep in the war, so for him to have it here? It means a lot. More than a lot to Steve. And he doesn't doubt Cass deserves it too.]
Yeah, well, eat your breakfast before it gets cold.
[It's a bit of good-natured grumbling as he pulls the tray in closer and hands them both a bowl.]
Yeah, well, eat your breakfast before it gets cold.
[It's a bit of good-natured grumbling as he pulls the tray in closer and hands them both a bowl.]
Page 1 of 4