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Rumlow: (While working on a large stack of reports, he checks the clock, stops what he’s doing, and turns toward Rollins) …Sorry about this, Jack. I’ve kept you here helping with my overtime until this hour…

Rollins: (With his usual stoic, cool expression) Please don’t concern yourself with that. Use me whenever you need.

(‘Honestly, I’m thrilled to be able to help you when it’s just the two of us!’ ← inner voice)

Rumlow: (Feeling grateful for the other man’s easygoing attitude, he smiles) …Well, this isn’t exactly an apology, but once we’re done with this, want to go grab something to eat? My treat.

Rollins: (In a very cool, composed tone) Yes, I’d be happy to join you.

(‘YES!! I’d be happy to join you!!’ ← inner voice, with a massive dopamine rush in his brain)

Jack Rollins — a man who appears calm and shows little emotional fluctuation on the surface, yet burns with intense passion deep in his chest.

Rollins: "Of course." (immediate answer)

Rumlow: "What do you like about me?"

Rollins: "I like everything about you." (strong emphasis, immediate answer)

Rumlow: "Then why do you like everything about me? There are plenty of other people who treat you well besides me, right?" (smirking)

Rollins: "... (…Ah, this question means my answer will directly become the 'condition for liking Rumlow.' The answer needs to express 'It has to be Rumlow, no one else' and 'No matter what state he's in, Rumlow's existence is the most valuable thing to me…')" (thinks for a moment)

Rumlow: "... (waiting for the answer with a smirk)"

Rumlow: "Yeah, I do."

Rollins: "What part of me do you like? (Straight to the point.)"

Rumlow: "Every single part of your existence."

Rollins: "Uh… I’m really honored by those words, but if you could tell me more specifically which parts you like, it would be—"

Rumlow tried looking for a new place to rent, but the repeated apartment bombings carried out with the clear intent to assassinate him (and the massive collateral damage they caused to entire buildings) have made things so bad that every real estate agency he contacts refuses to rent — or even sell — to him.

Rumlow:

“…Damn, this is rough. I never expected I’d get flat-out rejected by every single real estate agent this thoroughly…”

Rollins:

“Most likely you’ve been placed on some kind of industry blacklist in the real estate world. If you could at least provide proof that ‘the assassins are no longer targeting you,’ then maybe…”

Rumlow:

“…Wait a sec. What if I just say ‘I’m gonna live with Captain America’? That should do the trick, right? (smirking)”

Rollins:

Rumlow is looking through a mission report that was just submitted.

Rumlow: (while reading Rollins’ extremely neat and densely packed report)

“…Jack, how come your reports are always this wordy? Don’t you ever throw in a sketch or drawing like the other guys do?”

Rollins: “I used to draw a little in private when I was younger.”

Rumlow: “Oh? What kind of stuff? (eyes suddenly sparkling with interest)”

Rollins: “Well… (casually doodles something small and quick on the edge of the paper and shows it) Something like this.”

Rumlow: (staring intently at the drawing)

“…Huh. Splatter/gore stuff, eh?”

Rollins: (looking extremely reluctant to explain)

Rumlow: (on the phone) …Hey Jack, sorry to bother you, but can I borrow your thermometer?

Rollins: Got it. I’ll bring it right now. (leaving his room and walking down the hallway) But what’s wrong?

Rumlow: I just checked my temperature with my thermometer and it said 41°C? Looks like this thing’s broken or something—

Rollins: No, it’s probably not broken. (suddenly speaking faster, breaking into a run and bursting into Rumlow’s room)

Rollins

( dressed in a plain-clothes disguise: black leather jacket, black cut-off t-shirt, black jeans, and leather boots )

“…Alright, I’m heading out.”

Rumlow

“Yeah, watch yourself out there.”

( watching Rollins leave the room )

Steve

( entering the room right as Rollins exits )

“Hey, morning, Rumlow.”

Rumlow

“Oh, morning, Cap.”

Steve

“I just saw Rollins in civvies a minute ago?”

Rumlow

“Yeah, he’s gone to the site. Word’s been out for a while that a real popular piece of merchandise is changing hands today. Plenty of people are gonna swarm the place wanting it, but if he can, Jack’ll probably come back with the actual goods in hand.”

Steve

“You’re really okay sending him alone to a dangerous deal like that?”

Rumlow

“It’s fine. It’s just the new donut flavor.”

Rollins: 「Thanks for running the errand duty. What’s up?」

Rumlow: 「Yeah, well… I kinda got caught up in a bit of a troublesome attack? Sorry to ask, but could you come reinforce me at the Triskelion main entrance…」

Rollins: 「I’m on my way right now!!」

(Without even waiting for Rumlow to finish speaking, he bolts out of the room. With a desperate look on his face, he charges down from the S.T.R.I.K.E. floor to the entrance at practically falling speed.)

Rollins: 「Rumlow, are you okay?! …Huh?」

Rumlow: 「…Yeah, Jack, over here. Help me out.」