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

[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?

[advanced]

Yeah.

[He's just got his tablet balanced on John's stomach, that's all.]

Are you out walking yet or not?

[redrooms]

Yes, I am.

[You worrywart.]

I think I preferred the compliments.

[advanced]

[He just clears his throat a little awkwardly.]

This is why I don't follow your example.

[redrooms]

Whose example do you follow?

[advanced]

Nobody.

[Steve.]

[redrooms]

[She's pretty certain it's Steve, but she was trying to joke with him a bit. Sometimes it falls flat. Oops.]

Mm. At least you didn't say Clint.

[So she'll make fun of Clint instead.]

[advanced]

I have some self respect.

[Except he actually has a lot of admiration for the Clint he has come to get to know here.]

[redrooms]

Glad to hear it. I thought I was going to have to start finding you purple clothes.

[advanced]

[He snorts, sounding just the slightest bit out of breath.]

You can't look up to someone who didn't even have shoes when they got here.

[redrooms]

He usually wears shoes on Avenger business. Usually.

[advanced]

A superhero should always wear shoes.

[This is so awkward, small talk and teasing really isn't his strong suit. He's only trying because of what she's going through. Nobody understands how hard programming is to deal with like Bucky.]

[redrooms]

[She really does appreciate it, and she also thinks it's a good excuse to get him used to just talking to someone again.]

Well, to be fair, we've all made... questionable costume choices.

[advanced]

[At least Steve never chose his own costume, it's just what he was given when he went into the propaganda train. And Bucky has never really had a costume.]

What was yours?