a kid from brooklyn

“No.” No hint. Bucky could be a bit of a jerk and hopefully Steve still remembered that side of him fondly. He was trying to bring the guy he was back. The Winter Soldier took so much from him that he barely recognized himself anymore. Part of the reason he made the decision to come out of cryo was because he hated the idea that he was known as The Winter Soldier. He wanted people to see Bucky. It was difficult. The PTSD was bad some day, worse other days.

One thing Bucky hadn’t thought about since he got out of cryo (also couting the times he was out of cryo with Hydra) was his parents. That memory had almost completely faded. He could barely remember what his sister looked like, let alone his mother. Bucky doesn’t answer right away. He’s thinking back, trying to remember as much as he can about his family. He wished he had his notebook on him. He’d jot down things when he remembered them.

“I don’t know.” So much for that. He remembered Sarah though. He spent a lot of time with her and Steve. “I know your mom would be proud. Surprised but proud.”

          Well, that answers Steve’s question. No hint. The blond knows Bucky better than anyone else. If he said no, then he meant no. There’s nothing the super soldier can do to get a simple hint out of his best friend. And maybe that’s for the best. Isn’t it best to be surprised over a present then know right off hand what you’re getting? It’s because of this that the blond easily lets the conversation drop. Focusing more on the next topic concerning their parents. Since waking up in the twenty first century it’s not really something Steve had a chance to think of too much, but now?

          Surprised. That might be an understatement. Much like Bucky, Sarah did everything in her power to keep her son safe given his medical condition and short stature. Unfortunately she was rather ill herself. Leading to Steve having to say goodbye to his mother at a young age. The funeral. Walking back to the apartment with Bucky. It may have happened years ago, but the memories were still just as vivid now as they were back then.

“I always bought you a present.” And sure it’d been several decades but Bucky didn’t see why that should change. Looking back, it always felt like getting a present was the highlight of Steve’s birthday, especially when things got rough money-wise, with the Great Depression and Steve’s mom’s declining health. 

Bucky didn’t have a job or anything now and he made the bit of money he had by working odd jobs at the cargo docks. Being a super soldier had it’s perks - he was strong and loading and unloading ships was easy. Finding the gift was the hard part. This new Steve wasn’t so different from the old one and he was still quite the minimalist. He didn’t need much so Bucky wanted to get him something that would mean something. Easier said than done.

Locking the house on the way out, Bucky turned to Steve and handed him the key for safe keeping. “You’ll get it after the fireworks.” Knowing Steve Rogers, he’d get emotional over it. Hell, Bucky was expecting the emotions to come up any second now. Who would have thought that so many years later they’d be picking up their childhood tradition?

“Remember how your mom would yell at us when we got back?” They would often sneak out to see the fireworks and Sarah would give them both an earful, especially when they were just a couple of kids. “It didn’t even matter if I brought her back a candy bar.”

          ❝I know, it’s just – about a month ago I didn’t think you’d be here for my birthday.❞ So many things have changed since their time in Brooklyn. He didn’t have the worry about never seeing Bucky again. This year there was a very good chance that the only way he would see Bucky would be behind glass. He could talk to him, sure. But it wouldn’t be the same. So the fact that the brunet is here with him now? It might be one of his best presents to date.

          Steve takes the apartment keys from Bucky when they’re handed to him. Placing them safely in his pocket where he knows they won’t get lost and will be easy to retrieve after the fireworks. ❝Do I get a hint as to what it is?❞ What? Sure, the present isn’t of the utmost importance to Steve in the here and now, but he can’t help it. He’s curious. As are most people when it comes to discovering they have a present waiting for them in a certain given time. Clearly Steve Rogers is no different.

          ❝And we would continue to sneak out year after year. She would still eat that candy bar, though.❞ Steve would watch her sneak it in when she didn’t think the two boys were looking. Yeah, the young teenage Steve knew what she was up to. A fond smile makes itself known over his features before one of sadness takes its place. Although it has been years since he has last seen his mother, he still missed her. More than anything.

Made sense. Steve was no longer tiny so it wasn’t like they needed to get there hours earlier to get a good view of the fireworks across the river. Bucky finishes his hot dog and wipes his hands down on his blue jeans. Had this been the mid-1900s he would have suggested Steve bring a jacket, just in case, but his immune system wasn’t what it used to be either.

“No. The bag’s packed.” The usual bag of junkfood that Bucky brought along for their birthday/fourth of July celebrations. “Let me change my shirt.” He says walking back into the bedroom that Steve had walked out of it. There was nothing wrong with the shirt Bucky was wearing, other than the fact that it was a t-shirt and therefore left his let arm exposed. He hated the looks and the questions that followed. Besides, today was about Steve. He slips on a burgundy long sleeved shirt and grabs one of Steve’s basbeball caps, placing it over his head, then he brushes his hair behind his ears. “Let’s go.” 

As he walks towards the door, he grabs the backpack and slipped it onto his back. “I got you a birthday present.”

          Steve waits patiently for Bucky when it comes time for him to change out of his shirt and into something different. He knows the reason as to why, so he doesn’t find the need to ask. Instead, he takes a seat on the couch while waiting. Knowing it wouldn’t be long before his friend would be back out to join them. Honestly? They didn’t have to go witness the fireworks display tonight. Sure, it’s something the blond has grown accustomed to doing over the years, but it won’t ruin his birthday if they choose to not attend. If anything, just having Bucky back is good enough. Eventually, however, the blond stands up from his previous perch on the couch when Bucky walks out.

When he was brought out of cryo for a check up, Bucky had a decision to make: if he was going to go back in ice or not. As he was poked and prodded by the doctor’s in Wakanda, he thought about it and he decided to try his luck at being out. It would take some adjusting but he knew who could help him through that.

That’s how he ended up back here, in this tiny one bedroom apartment in Brooklyn. He was shocked the building was still standing and surprised at the condition it was in. It almost didn’t feel like the same place.

He steps out of the kitchen and into the living room while biting into a hotdog. “Why aren’t you dressed yet?” It was the 4th of July and that meant two things: Steve’s birthday and fireworks. “We need to leave if we want to find a good spot by the river.”

          It came as no surprise that Steve was thrilled to have his best friend out of cryo. And hopefully this time for good. Already having to stand back and watch on as he fell asleep once again. With no guarantee that Bucky would wake up while Steve was still alive on this Earth. Hence the intense excitement that washed over him when the two decided to share his old apartment. Like they did before Captain America was well-known. Before Hydra. When it was just Steve and Bucky against the world.

          ❝You know it only takes me five minutes to get ready.❞ They still have a good couple hours before the fireworks officially start. The blond feels as though they’ll make it there in plenty of time. Besides, even if they didn’t find their favorite spot by the river it wasn’t the end of the world. Thus far, Steve has had literally nothing to complain about.

          ❝Thank you, Buck.❞ Some days Steve still can’t believe it has been ninety-nine years. Even if a large chunk of that was spent frozen in ice. The man known to the world as Captain America has reached the ninety-nine year mark. Not many people can say they have. ❝I assume we’re going to see the fireworks tonight?❞ A tradition they started many, many years ago.

He reflects on the words and he can’t help but chuckle to himself. Bucky would follow Steve into battle even if he didn’t have a plan, he trusted Steve more than himself sometimes but the one thing he didn’t have faith in was their BAKING skills. How ironic and how perfectly it suited them. “You willing to make a wager on that? And you can have anything you want.” 

Bucky’s not one for cards or slot machines, but chance games such as this turn him into a gambling man and it’s fun to see if luck was still in his favor sometimes. “Whadya say?”

          A wager? Anything he wants? Steve has never been much of a gambling man either. However, this – right here – with Bucky is innocent enough that the blond is unable to turn it down. And, in a way, it goes as far as to reminding the super soldier of the good old days. Back in Brooklyn. When it was just the two best friends. No Hydra. No Shield or the Avengers. ❝All right. You have yourself a deal. When I win ...❞ The blond takes a second or two to ponder over what it is he wants. ❝You cook us dinner every night for a month.❞ Okay, the blond probably could have come up with a better one, but this is something he hasn’t had for a long time. So he couldn’t possibly miss out on the opportunity.

        they each had names  —  illana had known this, truly, but it was just…  weird.  they were assets, code names given at times but otherwise existence modifiable, and giving one a name, an actual person name, almost didn’t click with her.  but she did know her own  ;;  history came in snippets, but she still did know her name, still could hold on to her personality somehow.   ❝ how come it’s just you?  don’t have a backup team, snipers aiming from nearby buildings?  you have that much faith in your own skills? ❞  slow steps were noticed, the brunette debating on whether she ought to stand her ground or retreat  ( just run, it took this long to be found, you can easily get out of this situation ).  mentality constantly shifted between surrender and aggression,  one moment needing to agree with him, the next her grip tightening on her weapon.

          ❝ you don’t want to use me? ❞   a question he could easily lie to, her believing whatever answer he would give  —  hydra had been up front about their intentions, and they may have been manipulative, but she couldn’t recall blatant dishonesty towards the assets.   ❝ i don’t know why he would give my name, we were no allies.  this could all be a trap, and i’m not getting locked up again. ❞

          Fair question. ❝Because that would mean I came here with the intention to fight, but that’s not why I’m here. I came here to offer you help.❞ Another reason why the blond chose to come alone and – for the most part – unarmed. For one, it’s difficult to earn someone’s trust when you have a gun or another weapon pointed in their general direction. Secondly, he wishes to provide her with a choice. When it all boils down to it, Illana does not have to come back with Steve. That is entirely up to her. If he did not provide her with a choice then he would be no better than Hydra. So if she wishes him to leave, he will.

        ❪   *:･ﾟ✧･: *      DISCOMFORT SHINES    /    only soul that dimitri had shared secrets,  concerns,   fears being the former flame that had changed him for the better.  that had dragged youth from the bounds of addicted suppressing hell  &  gave him the chance to thrive   /   what should have been husband now merely an ex who will eternally be loved.   ties cut for reasoning deemed right however,  another secret to lace ‘neath russian bones   ;   for dimitri to feel uncomfortable lowering guard when it comes to his own demons.   help others,  help those that are worthy,  that DESERVE it.   not dimitri vladimov  –   leave him to fester,  the mindset of loathing cemented forever.         ❝    you  –  you are very kind.   i will take that into consideration.  ❞   vocals waver,   silver orbs glancing towards lines within flooring.     ❝    i feel better looking after others,  listening to others.   not  –  not me.   that  …  no.  ❞   ❫   

          Steve cannot help but feel as though he’s looking into a mirror of sorts while speaking with Dimitri. A near spitting image of himself. Bound and determined to help others above all else. This is something Steve carried with him far before the serum flowed within his veins. Being the very guy who would stand up to the bullies. Risk life and limb if it meant another soul would get out alive. He’d stand up to the bullies that were standing between a dame and her purse. Even if it meant him arriving back to the small apartment with cuts and bruises over his face. It was well worth it at the end of the day.

@blindingflare | meme | accepting

° • ? ( QUESTION SENTENCE STARTERS.

He silently stirred his coffee before setting his spoon to the side with a sigh. He had thought about bringing it up to his brother, but it never seemed to be the right time to even think to bring it up. Anytime the time was even remotely right, his brother had always been telling him to pack up so they could leave.

“I know, but I don’t want to drag anyone else into this. I’m okay though. It’s helping him get better, so I’ll be okay.” He brought his mug to his lips and took a sip, letting it linger for a few moments before throwing it across the room in one motion, bringing his hands up to cover his face. “Who am I kidding. I can’t… I can’t keep doing this. I’m exhausted physically and mentally. I’m literally falling to pieces but I keep it together for him because he’s got enough to worry about without adding me into it. I can’t remember the last time I slept or the last time I actually ate anything. I’m going to break and splinter into a million tiny pieces and no one will be able to put me back together because they’re all too busy taking care of him to even give me a second glance.”

          Never could Steve have anticipated to witness Jamie throw the mug across the room. Completely unexpected. This is shown as the blond practically jumps in his chair, hearing as the mug shatters when it connects with the hard flooring of the kitchen. He did not necessarily believe what the other said earlier about being okay. This only backs up his claim. Remaining in a seated position while listening to every word.