"Yeah, we don't compare trauma here." Sam nodded, quoting the words of his veteran's support group host, "It doesn't matter if you drown in eight feet of water or a hundred feet of water. You still drown." He nodded, seeing the pain in Bucky that mirrored so many others he'd met.
Bucky shrugged again. "Maybe so." But I didn't drown. I…I drowned other people, so to speak. He didn't say that out loud, though.
"That's how it is–" Sam said, "But you've got Steve, and if you want, you've got the rest of us. You have a place here, if you want it." He nodded, hoping that they'd all get along once everyone was introduced.
Bucky bit his lip a little bit. "We'll see what the others think." he replied. He didn't know why it was so difficult for him to accept that the Avengers might accept him, treat him as an equal. He just knew that…that any other time he had been part of a group, he knew that he had always been the subordinate.
"We'll see." Sam agreed, a hint of a smile echoing in his words. He knew they would accept him, once they see that picture… He smiled at the thought of Thor fawning over them, Tony collecting cash from half the group and Nat laughing with her whole face– something rare that was brought forth with candid photos of them all in a shared album of their most embarrassing photos.
Bucky was sitting down on the couch again, a few strands of brown hair falling into his face. He rubbed his jaw with a hand, feeling a few pinpricks of stubble that were growing in.
Steve entered the room abruptly with Natasha in tow, holding a white box with a little bow on it. "-Right, that's exactly what I said." He nodded, trailing their conversation from the hallway. His 'beard,' per request, was gone, and his hair was neatly combed. He wore a gray button-down (opposed to the outlandish purples and reds that had been there) with the sleeve's rolled up, the light reflecting off the soft fabric– almost silk-like.
"Hm– oh Nat, this is Bucky." He smiled, looking from her, hanging up her coat to Bucky on the couch.
Bucky gave a tight smile. "Hi." he greeted. He remembered fighting this woman just over a week ago. Had tried to kill her a number of different times. He could only pray that there was no ill will because of that. He ran a hand through his hair.
"Natasha." She greeted with a smile and nod, though he probably already knew her name. She turned to Sam, glancing at the boiling water, "Pasta?" She smiled.
"Gnocchi." Sam sighed.
(I can be some of the Avengers, btw, if you want me to)
Bucky took a deep breath, and picked up a book that was sitting on the side table. He flipped through it absently, cocking his head a little bit.
(yes pls :) whoever you'd like.)
Steve smiled at Bucky's nonchalance, he'll warm up to them eventually. His thoughts were interrupted by Tony entering the room while he was on the phone, talking at lightning-speed about some research he had no knowledge of.
"Was I supposed to bring something?" Steve asked Sam quietly, eyeing Natasha's box and now Tony's tray of cheeses.
"Well– no one expects you to." Sam shrugged.
(kk. I was thinking Tony, Thor, and Bruce? Any others you want me to be?)
Bucky kept flipping through the book, eyebrows drawing together a little bit. He had no idea what it was about, really, he was just trying not to draw attention.
(that's fine, idk who else, thanks :)
Tony sounded like he was wrapping up his phone call, and Steve glanced at the time, the others should be here any minute. He thought excitedly, eager to have all his friends all together at once and to show Bucky that everyone was welcoming him, and not hostile.
(np lol)
Thor arrived with a loud greeting, the bottle of Asgardian drink in one hand, and some other food he had picked up in the other. He set both down on the counter. "Greetings, fellow Avengers." he said in his loud voice.
Bruce had not yet arrived.
"Thor." Steve greeted with a smile, eyeing the bottle. Last time, he'd only had a little bit, and it was the strongest thing he'd had in ages. Now, with a whole bottle…
Natasha smiled her greeting and Sam saluted him from where he was in the kitchen, stirring the giant pot of pasta worriedly, hoping that it would turn out okay.
Tony hung up on his phone, grumbling to himself about the project for a moment. "Oh, hey blondie." he greeted Thor, surveying the food. He glanced over at Bucky on the couch, then at Steve. "Yo, your assassin turned shy, Cap."
Steve held back a laugh and glanced at Bucky sitting quietly on the couch. "I know," He told him quietly,
"But I don't mind it, no." He nodded, "He's quiet…but he's Bucky."
Sam shot him another look, turning to Natasha and rubbing his fingers, mouthing 'cash.' She shot back her own look, shaking her head. "Just you wait." Sam nodded, glancing at his phone, hoping the picture was delivered to the group chat.
Tony cocked his head, raising an eyebrow a little. He nodded, and glanced over at Sam. He raised his eyebrows, giving a pointed look between Steve and Bucky.
Bruce finally arrived. "Sorry I'm late." he said in his soft-spoken manner, putting his own food on the counter with the others. "I got busy."
Sam shrugged at Tony and gave him a look saying 'I guess we'll see.' He greeted Bruce and checked his phone, seeing that the photos sent. Natasha smiled shyly at Bruce "Hey," She greeted, glancing over to the couch and lowering her tone, "This is Bucky: Steve's mystery man. And from what I hear, Sam's switched sides; he's betting with Tony."
Bruce cocked his head, eyes flicking to Bucky for a moment, then back to Natasha. "Isn't he that guy that SHIELD's looking for? The…assassin?" he asked in a quiet, worried voice.
Bucky was quiet, a few locks of brown hair in his face.
"Yeah, but apparently he uhm…" Natasha shook her head, answering back in a hushed tone, "He was experimented on and…brainwashed. Quite a bit." She nodded slowly, almost sensing the aura of guilt that surrounded him, "They wiped his memory, and Steve's kind of helping with that; they were best friends before the war."
Bruce nodded. "Oh, alright." He replied slowly. "Still." He studied Bucky for a moment. "You say Sam changed his vote? I'm curious as to why."
"Yeah, me too," Natasha agreed, unlocking her phone, "He keeps checking his phone, maybe he sent something."
Sam sighed in relief at the pasta; it was perfect. He strained it silently and added the sauce, serving it in a modern bowl. The table had been set, and he put his hands on his hips, feeling accomplished.
"-Oh." Nat grinned, quietly looking at the photo waiting for her in their group chat, "–That's why."
Bruce got out his phone, and looked. He let out a soft little laugh. "I can see why he changed his vote, the bastard." He said, shaking his head.
Natasha let out a quiet laugh, smiling her rare smile and saving it to her phone. "This is going on the fridge," She smiled, glancing at Bucky and Steve across the room. "Who would have thought…Steve Rogers." Nat shook her head, smiling and glad for Steve.