forum Marvel AU OxO?

Started November 29, 2019 by @ElderGod-Icefire

tune

Bucky swallowed, sighing softly. He ran a hand over the top of his head again. He didn't know what to say, because he didn't know what exactly stuck out the most. He couldn't remember enough for it.

Steve glanced around his surroundings as they made their way down the block, threading through the busy sidewalks. So much had changed, and often found himself forgetting that this was, in fact, his city. "Yeah, a lot has changed, that's for sure."

Bucky nodded a little bit. "Yeah, that makes sense." He replied softly. "It would be weirder if nothing had changed, though." He shrugged his shoulders.

"Hm, I don't know if I would've preferred it though." Steve said, imagining the towering hotels as dull apartment buildings and the bright cabs as dark and rounded cars. "Seventy years later and things are more-or-less the same? Definitely concerning." He chuckled.

He let out a soft laugh, nodding. "Yeah." He sighed softly, hands in his pockets again. He didn't quite know what to say now.

Steve looked at the ground, his thoughts idle in the silence between them. What if this won't work? He pondered, recalling an earlier thought of the possibility of Bucky getting some space from him and the Avengers. What if it was best? He was still adjusting to the present machinations of the modern world, but what if distance is what he really needed? "Hey," Steve said, deciding to voice his thoughts, "I did some thinking earlier, about how you didn't really want to meet the Avengers, or– stick around, I guess. And I think that if it's space that you want, from them, from the city–" He took a quick breath, "–From me. I think I can help with that."

Bucky looked up, studying Steve for a moment. He didn't know how to respond. Part of him…part of him thought that leaving might be a good idea. To give himself space. But another part…another part didn't want to leave. To leave Steve behind. He swallowed, and shrugged. "I don't know." he finally replied.

"You don't know?" Steve said, a little surprised. He honestly thought that Bucky would have wanted space. But for him to not know? What if he wanted to stay? He glanced at him, loose strands of hair falling into his face, "What's stopping you?"

You. "I…" he let out a breath, shaking his head a little bit. He didn't have an adequate answer for that. "I don't…" he looked around the street, looking for a distraction.

Steve took a quiet breath, trying to think of what might cause his hesitation. “We can help you get settled— if that’s what you’re worried about.” Steve said with a hidden ache in his words.

Bucky shook his head. "No, I just…if I leave…HYDRA might find me again." His eyes flickered a little bit, and he chewed on his lip.

"Oh, Bucky…" Steve sighed, pained that he still held fear of recapture. "I told you, we're handing that." He said softly, "You're safe, and we're gonna protect you."

He shrugged his shoulders. "You're going to try. You might not always be able to." he replied calmly, shaking his head a little bit.

"But we're going to do as much as we possibly can." Steve nodded, "Keeping you safe is the thing I want most–" Well, maybe, among other things, "–And I know you know that I wouldn't let you go if I didn't know you'd be okay." He told him, wondering if he'd said too much.

Bucky shrugged a little bit. "Yeah, I know." He replied. "I just…I don't know." He wasn't sure he wanted to be alone. Not with all these memories that he knew would hurt when he remembered.

"It's okay to not know," Steve told him, thinking of his own confusion as an example. "We'll figure this out together, and things'll turn out." He had to hope that they would; knowing well that he couldn't lose him again.

Bucky shrugged again. "Maybe so." He replied. He spotted the movie theater, and headed towards it.

Maybe? Steve repeated in his mind, moving towards the front entry of the theatre and entering, there can't be a maybe. "Hi," He greeted when they reached the ticketing booth. Buying things online was too much of a hassle; he prefered to pay for things face-to-face. "Two for…Three's a crowd." The clerk nodded, printing their tickets after accepting Steve's cash.

Bucky stayed near Steve, running a hand over the top of his head. His hair was pulled back in that loose, low bun still, and in reality, he really did look good like that.

Steve thanked the clerk and nodded toward the right auditorium, trying to brush off the discreet look she gave the two of them. He surveyed the main entrance as they moved to the right room, raising an eyebrow at their questionable choice in carpet and dim lighting.

Bucky stayed near Steve, examining the room. His eyes traced around the room for threats, for anyone that could be a danger to either him or Steve. He wanted to protect Steve too, though he wasn't sure why. He wasn't sure why he wanted to. But he did. And he would. The world needs Captain America more than it needs me. And for some reason, that thought felt so familiar.

The theatre was comfortably empty, groups of friends and couples scattered over the wide selection of seats. Steve glanced at Bucky, loosely gesturing to an empty row that wasn't too close to the screen or too far back. "These okay?" He asked.

Bucky nodded, sitting down. He didn't remember ever being in a theater before, though he knew he had been. He sighed, shifting in the seat and trying to get comfortable.

The lights dimmed soon after Steve sat down, and the quiet chatter of the room died down. God, I hope this doesn't turn out to be a mess, Steve prayed, hoping that Tony's…or Pepper's movie reccomendation was a good idea.

The movie started. It did not escape Bucky's notice that the main male leads were blond and brunette, and that the brunette had longer hair. He watched the movie.

(Like I said earlier, I'm completely making this up off the top of my head)