IC Inbox

[advanced]

This is the IC inbox for Bucky Barnes at Snowblind.

Network name: @bucky; formerly @j, @username, and @robertsmith

This is the place to contact Bucky over the Network. Contact by voice, text, or video is all perfectly acceptable, and there is no need to plot with me prior to posting in this inbox.

Any contact for @j following day 125, @username following day 190, or @robertsmith following day 224 will be met with the following message: USER NOT FOUND.

Comments

[redrooms]

[Oh, Bucky.]

I'm teasing you. I'm not going to go traipsing into the snow before lockdown for fun.

[advanced]

I'll hold you to that, Natasha.

[It always feels strange to say her name, intimate. Not just her, anyone, he's so used to being not close enough to people to need to use names.]

[redrooms]

Good. The same holds for you, too. Don't follow my terrible example.

[advanced]

I wouldn't dream of following your example.

[There's just the tiniest hint of a tease in his voice.]

[redrooms]

[That tone makes her shoulders ease up. It's a hint of normalcy she can anchor herself with, and silly teasing makes her feel far less vulnerable than talking about whatever programming might have been triggered.]

I didn't say don't follow my example on everything. You're going to hurt my feelings.

[advanced]

Maybe you need to set a better example then.

[Okay, now he's definitely teasing. The warmth in his voice only a minor difference, but easy to hear all the same.]

[redrooms]

Tell me what I should be doing, then. And don't say victory rolls and nylons, old man.

[Absolutely teasing. He can't be more than... What? Five, ten years older than she is?]

[advanced]

[That elicits an actual chuckle.]

What, you don't think you'd look good in nylons?

[redrooms]

[Wow! A laugh! At least that's something positive. Natasha lets out a soft sound, a pfft.]

I know I'd look good in them, but I'm not willing to brave the hypothermia to prove it.

[advanced]

Pity.

[Wait, what? He didn't just say that. MOVING RIGHT ALONG.]

Are you with anyone right now?

[redrooms]

[He absolutely just said that, and Natasha laughs softly. She follows his lead in moving on, but there's something amused in her voice regardless.]

I'm alone. I should be able to catch up to Clint soon.

[advanced]

Tell him to wait for you.

[He can go an extra day with John, nothing major seems to be happening.

Oh how little he knows how soon that will be proven wrong.]

[redrooms]

He doesn't need to wait for me. The concern is sweet, Bucky, but I'm fine.

[It's... half of a lie? Whatever!]

[advanced]

You're not. If you're fighting programming then you need an anchor, or someone to control you if you slip.

[Harsh? Perhaps, but he thinks she'll understand and appreciate it.]

[redrooms]

[She does! Whatever's left of that teasing in her tone disappears.]

I won't slip. My programming doesn't work that way. It's... memories, experiences, not actions.

[More than enough to make her miserable and angry, though.]

[advanced]

[Interesting. He doesn't think she's lying, but that means the differences are so stark.]

It would still be better if you were with Clint.

[redrooms]

I know. I'm working on it.

[And then, more gently:]

You're helping, too. Thank you.

[advanced]

[There's a very long pause before he responds, touched.]

Returning the favour.

[redrooms]

[Oh, good. She's glad she's been helping. There have been more than a few times where she wasn't sure.]

You know I'm always here for you.

[advanced]

[This is the part of the conversation where he would usually hang up, but he's less inclined to do that because of how she's struggling with her programming. He doesn't want her to have to face that alone.]

--do you need company while you walk? Just be aware that if you say yes, John will be able to hear you too.

[redrooms]

I wouldn't mind, but don't feel obligated, Bucky.

[It's a sweet gesture, especially because she knows casual conversation is far from his strong suit.]

[advanced]

[It is an effort, but he just grunts an affirmative.]

Alright. Give me a few minutes to collect John so we can get moving and I'll be right back.

[redrooms]

Of course. Take your time.

[advanced]

[There's quite a lengthy silence, longer than if Bucky had just gone to tell John they were moving off, before he comes back. His voice has an undercurrent of taut pain now, though he hides it well.]

Okay, I'm here.

[What does he say? Small talk is so far from his forte now.]

[redrooms]

Welcome back. Is everything alright?