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[staring_problem]

Drop an image or two, or an idea, or even just a starter if you want, this is where all those things go, plus where I'll move things from memes when they need to be pinned down.

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[mightysmall]

You are with the right person. [ Meaning him mostly, but Steve figures Bucky will find more people to talk to in the future. Eventually. Once he gets comfortable going out more. ]

It also means the words you do say are more important. You're not just talking, you know?

[staring_problem]

[He tilts his head in a little shrug] Some people make it easier than others.

[Steve, Sam, Sarah, a handful of others, but not many even now] And that's a real optimistic way of looking at it, but it's better than the alternative, so I'll take it.

[mightysmall]

I practically read your mind. I'm cheating. [ Steve grins back even as he shrugs like it's no big deal how close they are. Because it's really not. It's just how they are. ]

I'm an optimistic guy. And from an outsider's perspective you are getting better Buck. [ The progress is slow but it's there. Steve sees it. ]

[staring_problem]

Pretty sure you've also got a biased opinion on that one, but I can let it slide. [There's humor in the statement that he knows Steve will pick up on, even if someone else wouldn't, and it's partly because he knows Steve's right, bias or no.]

[mightysmall]

I am allowed to be biased! [ Steve glares playfully. ] You are my best friend and brought me breakfast when I was hung over. You are so awesome. The best friend a guy could ask for.

[staring_problem]

[He lifts both hands in mock-surrender] Didn't say you weren't allowed, and didn't say it was a bad thing.

[As far as he's concerned those biases aren't a bad thing, not necessarily, not when it means that Steve -and likewise Sam, Sarah and a handful of others- will see the good things -like that progress, incremental as it is- where others, including Bucky himself, wouldn't.]

[mightysmall]

That's what I thought. [ Steve points a 'threatening' finger at him. ] I'm going to annoy you for the rest of our lives, bud, so you'd better just accept that now.

[ Even if the worst comes back Steve's going to stick around. He's stubborn and cares. It's a powerful combination. And annoying too sometimes. ]

[staring_problem]

That is the most toothless threat I've ever received.

[A small, much more genuine smile follows all the same, and he doesn't go to the trouble of hiding this one] But thanks.

[It's a struggle to keep the amusement out of his tone, keep it something aiming for resigned and matter-of-fact] Someone's got to do it, right? Might as well be you.

[mightysmall]

Toothless? Ha. I will bite if backed into a corner.

[ It's rare Steve fights dirty but he has done it a time or two. And yes, he's bitten a few people. No one judge him. ]

Face it, you wouldn't know what to do without me.

[staring_problem]

Oh now that is a totally different threat that I know you have no problem following through on.

[So he hasn't seen actual biting in play before, not from Steve, but he knows better than to question that certainty in his tone.]

I would so, but it would definitely take me longer to make decisions.

[mightysmall]

[ Steve laughs and shoves his chair back from the table. He starts to clean up the containers of cream cheese and put them away in the fridge one by one. ]

They might be better decisions without me jumping right into things without thinking.

[staring_problem]

[Bucky snorts softly, amused even still, as he rolls to his feet as well, collecting plates and mugs.] Yeah, maybe. But it's never going to be that clear cut.

[Steve's mug is set on the counter beside him, Bucky knows better than to empty the last few sips of coffee, and his own mug and the plates are set in the sink, just given a quick rinse. It's habit to do the day's dishes after dinner, which means he'll take care of them later.]

[mightysmall]

Yeah. Wish it could be. [ Even if he's driven by his own moral code Steve really wishes it could be easier. ] But I'll just figure it out along the way.

[ After putting the cream cheese away and tossing out the trash he goes over and leans against Bucky as he takes the coffee back and works on those last few sips. ]

Together.

[staring_problem]

Best any of us can do, right?

[It's a discussion he's had with himself at least as often as he's had it with Steve, or Sam, and that's the only conclusion he's ever been satisfied with, even a little.]

But c'mon. [He jostles Steve's shoulder gently.] We're not getting philosophical, we're going to go look at art.

[mightysmall]

We're going to get philosophical about art instead.

[ He drinks the last of his coffee and stops leaning against Bucky. ]

Gonna shower first and then I'll be ready to go.

[staring_problem]

I'll probably get way more philosophical about soup dumplings, but sure. Art.

[He's not even trying to make it sound serious this time, and he nods at the follow-up, giving Steve's shoulder a gentle nudge] Yeah, go on, I should probably change into something a little more presentable instead of hobo-chic.

[Because while sweatpants and a jogging shirt was fine for going down the block for bagels, it's not exactly the kind of thing he actually wants to go to lunch in, let alone a museum.]

[mightysmall]

You're going to learn to appreciate art if it kills me!

[ Steve shouts as he walks off to disappear into the shower for a few minutes and return nicely dressed with his hair perfectly styled. The hair takes longer than the shower actually. ]

[staring_problem]

I appreciate it just fine! The soup dumplings are on a whole different level though. [He shoots back, not even bothering to stifle the laugh as he does so.

He's used to changing clothes quickly and now is no exception, and by the time Steve returns Bucky's changed into his one good pair of jeans along with a t-shirt reading: I eat oil paintings when the guards aren't looking, and in the process of lacing his boots] That was fast.