Ready to Comply

Have you ever noticed that ( JAMES BUCHANAN "BUCKY" BARNES ) from the ( MARVEL UNIVERSE ) looks a lot like ( SEBASTIAN STAN )? But ( HE ) also goes by ( THE WINTER SOLIDER ). Having the ability to ( SUPER-SOLIDER SERUM ENHANCED ABILITIES, EXPERT MARKSMANSHIP, EXPERT COMBAT SKILLS ) sure makes them a force to be reckoned with. They’re known to be ( DETERMINED ) but also ( SARCASTIC ) and they’re ( 36/106 ) years old.

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Diana smiled softly as he spoke. “I suppose we seek the familiar wherever we go,” she said. “It is natural. Especially when the world itself can be so unfamiliar at times.” She smiled a little as he spoke again and shook her head. “Please, you may call me Diana,” she said. She gave him another smile and nodded. “It would be a pleasure, James,” she said.

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Bucky smiled at the other nodding his head “that is very true in plenty of circumstances” he mused honestly it’s probably why he even picked this place something about it seemed like a safe familiar place to go. “Of course, sorry I tend to be a bit old fashioned when it comes to certain things” he mused, leading them over to a booth that was in the back but still allowed for visibility of all exits. “So Diana, do you work around here or did you make a special trip to get their food?” he asked, making light conversation.

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Diana smiled softly and shrugged. “I know, but it would be my pleasure,” she said. “You remind me of an old friend. He would have happily paid for your lunch.” There was something about him that vividly pulled Steve Trevor’s image to the front of her mind, and as always, the thought drove a pang through her heart. “My name is Diana Prince. It is lovely to meet you, Mister…?”

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James smiled looking at the other nodding his head in thanks it was rare that someone paid him this much attention but then he normally kept to himself. “Do I? I have to admit you also remind me of a friend, she is someone I often miss.” He mused thinking of Peggy Carter, she was quite the woman you didn’t argue with no matter what. “Nice to meet you miss Prince, I’m James Barnes, since you paid for my lunch would you mind joining me while I eat it?”

“The REFORMED answer,” She mused his words. “Might surprise you.” Maybe it depended on the person and how much they were truly ready to reform. Yelena wasn’t one of them (okay, maybe a little, she was working on it). “Don’t be setting me up for disappointment, James Barnes.” She told him before taking a bite of the food. It was good. She was arguably impressed, though she didn’t let her feelings show on her face. “It’s suitable.” Actually quite good but she couldn’t be that forthcoming, who did he take her for? “Your mother must have been a talented chef.” She noted. 

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James looked at the other nodding his head, after all he’d been watched since he’d returned from Wakanda there was no denying that. “Nothing surprises me in this day and age, its the time of miracles and all that jazz” He mused looking at  the other for a moment smirking “Depends on who you speak too but my cooking has no need for worry, it’s good enough to keep Steve alive back then it’s good enough you guys now” He mused before nodding his head “She was a magician in the kitchen, we couldn’t afford much those days but she managed to feed us all, even Steve after his mother passed.”

James tried to keep the smile off his face he really did but Yelena in one word was trashed, she should’ve known the super soldier wasn’t one to keep up with when it came to drinking. In the moment she reminded him of little Steve back when he’d first tried a sip of beer. “I’m sorry you were explaining the importance of red carpets vs blue ones?” He teased her taking another sip of his drink.

James liked many things about this new future, the food being the number one thing in his book after all he’d never had the chance to taste such delights before. Leaving with Tony it allowed him to do many things he used to before the war and he took comfort in it. He was able to pay for his lunch when a woman’s voice pulled him from his action “Oh Ma’am you don’t have to do that really” He mused with a soft smile on his face.

-

Tony snorted softly as the older man spoke. “Grounded?” he repeated. “What are you gonna do, sit on me?” He yawned, pulling the safety goggles off entirely and dropping them with a clatter onto the table. “How about some coffee?” he said. “I mean, I’m having coffee no matter what, but it’s polite to ask.” He made his way over to the table with the coffee maker. “Don’t tell Pep this has caffeine in it, she’ll beat me up.” He looked over at him. “Yeah, you can hang out in here,” he said, his tone softening a little. Just a little.

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Bucky chuckled softly “You know there are funnier ways to enjoy a nice grounding Stark, I wouldn’t need to sit on you to keep you pinned” He mused watching the other as he let out a yawn nodding his head at the question “Sure I’ll take a cup, maybe it will lull me back to sleep” he mused following him back to the coffee marker rolling his eyes “I suppose I can keep this one little secret of yours” He teased him before looking away “Thanks Tony” He mused softly.

“Perhaps.” No, she thought inwardly, I wouldn’t. He had lived a longer life than her but Yelena doubted there was much that could surprise her. By his hands, one metallic and one flesh, he had taken many lives without choice of his own. It was less of what people had asked of him, and more of what SHE would ask of him. And that? That was something Yelena would never ask of anyone. Not after all she’d been through. Much like James, her life had gone without choice. Never would she do that to another. “Let’s see if taste matches presentation.” She took a bite of his sandwich, pleasantly surprised by the taste. “Where does one find time to learn culinary in our lines of work?” God knows Yelena lacked it. 

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James watched the other for a moment smirking “That has two answers one I believe you know and the other well it’s the standard reformed one” He replied honestly he wouldn’t mind lending a helping hand to any of his friends should they have asked. He was also enjoying his freedom, given that he could just relax if he wanted and train when he wanted. “Well I know for a fact that will be one of the best things you’ve eaten” he replied a tad bit cocky but he held confidence in his cooking skills. “I learned before being forced to join our line of work, Life wasn’t as easy as it is now, so I had to help my mother in the kitchen, turning the most simple ingredients into culinary delights.”

-

“Yeah, well, that may be because I’m focused,” Tony muttered, absently tilting his head toward Bucky’s direction, like a cat hearing a vaguely interesting noise. “It’s not like we’re gonna blow up if I cross a wire or anything, but still, pretty important. I kinda like to stay up in the air while I’m flying.” He put down the tool he was using and pushed up his safety goggles, rubbing at his eyes. “Can’t sleep?”

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Bucky smiled watching the other for a moment, after all, it never cease to amaze him all the things Stark’s brain was capable of creating. Even if being alive 70 years past possible he was still surprised by every new thing he saw. “Well I also prefer you to stay in the air when flying or you’ll be grounded” he teased the other nodding his head “Yeah…..have no problems with my memory now…” He sighed taking a seat near the other “Can I hang out here? I won’t distribute you too much…”

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      “Healthy things?” She had to hold back a laugh as James spoke. What he was describing was what she had imagined time and time again what taking care of a child was like. Tony in his own way was like a toddler, but he was a grown man, who despite choosing not to, was capable of taking care of himself. “I know.” She really did. Natasha trusted Bucky more than most people in her life. She had always had his back when he wasn’t under Winter Solider programming, and even when he was. “So is that all you do now? Take care of Tony Stark?”

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James smirked looking at the other “well I have to sneak them in somehow given that he used to live on pots of coffee alone” He replied honestly it wasn’t as if much had changed on that he attempted to also fuel Tony with some actual food instead of just caffeine. “Hardly, I’ve been working on my own personal journey, he is just allowing me to do so in the comfort of his place.” He mused setting the plate down in front of Nat “Eat up, tell me how amazing it is” He teased.

“Doesn’t sound strange.” She stated, eyes not meeting his. She thought of her own past, being under the thrall of the Black Widow program. How Natasha being around kept her in the present somehow. If Tony did that for Bucky, she understood it. “Worthy of your skill,” She mocked him. “You think I’d ask you to murder people, James Barnes?” The idea alone was ridiculous to the blonde, she refused the notion. “I don’t take deadly jobs unless I want someone dead.” Which wasn’t often enough, and if it was– it was personal. She wouldn’t involve him. Yelena listened to his words and gave a nod. “Acceptable terms. I’ll remember.”

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Bucky looked at the other for a moment as she talked after all it was interesting to hear what an outside source thought about him even if she was Nat’s sister in a way. “You’d be surprised what people have asked me to do Yelena” He mused but he knew the other wouldn’t ask that of him but still he liked vetting out jobs since it was something that was always taken from him back under hydra’s control he went after whoever they ordered him to do so now he picked and choose. “Good to know, now enjoy your food while I craft one for myself”

James moved around the lab knowing he’d find its owner somewhere within this mess, he didn’t know what he was working on only that the hour had been quite late. He couldn’t sleep because of nightmares he couldn’t control. He decided to see if Tony was awake for him to bug, being alone in this state of mine wasn’t ideal. “You always get this super-focused face when you are working on your inventions,” he said quietly so as not to distract or disturb the other.

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       "One reactor is enough.“ She agreed. Tony’s heart was banged up enough for one lifetime. Natasha shrugged, "Done enough to come home.” She kept confidential things secret, even from the people she loved.

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Bucky chuckled softly, shaking his head “Hence why I sneak healthy things here and there to ensure it stays healthy and strong. “ He mused he wanted to look after those he cared forgiven he hadn’t always been able to. “Good, You know if you require any help on anything you only need to ask.” he left it at that knowing if Nat needed him she’d ask.

“That is adequate.” Yelena declared, her way of saying yes. “I shall take one.” She didn’t remember if he offered to make one for her or not but regardless she saw no reason for him to deny her request. “Peculiar choice of company,” She noted. “He is a client of mine too. Lazy.” He needed to push to take care of himself at times and Yelena sure did love pushing. “Oh?” Interest piqued at the mention of people refusing to give him jobs. “I don’t actually exist technically, so I get many jobs.” She told him. “Not that I can’t handle them alone, but some may be easier with a partner.” The suggestion in the air was clear. Yelena didn’t know if it was something he’d be interested in, but it didn’t hurt any to offer (except, just a little, her pride). 

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James moved about the kitchen with practiced ease having lived here for a while now and ensuring that Tony ate enough was a job in itself when he really thought about it. “I don’t mind his company, it keeps me in the present rather than the past, as strange as that may sound” He mused honestly looking at the other shrugging his shoulders “It’s fine I usually only go out on missions I deem worthy of my skills, Most want the killer I used to be unfortunate for them they push to hard that killer is directed at them” He mused setting a plate in front of Yelena before starting on his own food. “Depends on the job you have and if I’m available. Give me some details and I’ll think about it.”

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       "Thank you.“ She took the files from him, quickly flipping through them scanning for the spots where Tony was supposed to initial. Closing the manila folder when she was satisfied, she looked back up at James. "You cook?” Pepper asked, trying to hide the surprise in her tone. “What did you promise to cook him?”

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“You’re welcome” He mused, hanging them over with ease before smiling softly looking a bit bashful “Yeah, Mom always said that it would be nice if I learned how to cook, plus it was nice hanging out with her without my sister screaming in her ear about something or other.” He replied before smiling “Pasta Primavera it’s been awhile since I’ve made it but I’m sure it will be good. Would you like to come over for Dinner Miss Potts?”