definingfuture | IC inbox for duplicity

You were on a mission and there was an explosion. We thought you were both lost in battle.

[Considering they were both in their twenties during the forties, it is pretty normal, if sad, for war.]

What happened to Bucky in your world?

❰ though steve is pretty sure he already knows. ❱

He was lost to us for years. Decades, like you were. When we got him back, there was an adjustment period, but it turns out he makes a great Captain America.

Lost.

❰ it takes a while for the next text to come through, while steve busies himself hating the multiverse. ❱

Does "Winter Soldier" mean anything to you?

❰ we'll get to captain america in a second. ❱

[ Wow. That one comes in suddenly. ]

That... seems like a personal question, Steve.

❰ oh my fucking god anthony edward stark you give him a straight answer or he will break your knees ❱

Tony.

Steve?

[He knows he's being pushed, but he holds back a little before replying.]

I'm familiar with him. Why?

Why?

❰ if tony knows about the winter soldier, then he knows why. ❱

Bucky's suffering is a multiversal constant, then.

Bucky is fine, Steve.
He meets with me to talk about suit upgrades when he's not off doing work or on a date.

On a date?

❰ why is that the most surprising thing tony just said. it isn't, apparently bucky is captain america in tony's universe. they should focus on that. ❱

Wait, you said he was Captain America?

A date. You've been on a date before.
He's allowed to go on dates with his girlfriend, Steve. Don't judge.

He's good at it, too. As it turns out, experience does make a difference.

He has a girlfriend? That's... good. I'm glad.

❰ that's not surprising, bucky used to have a ton of girlfriends. this is normal. it makes complete sense. and steve is happy that bucky has someone in his corner. that's a good thing. ❱

What happened to me that he took over?

She's a good person. Hopefully he's not too much of a handful for her.

[He'd make more jokes, but the question cuts that off.]

I don't... I don't think I can talk about that.

❰ well, bucky's girlfriend is suddenly much less important, huh. there are a few reasons that tony might not want to talk about whatever happened to him... none of them strike steve as particularly pleasant. ❱

Well, that narrows it down to "nothing good", I guess.

It's kind of personal.

[It's ironic considering who he's talking to, but Steve in his world is a long term friend. One of the closer ones Tony has. Talking about him to someone else, even another man sharing his name, is pushing a bit too far. He doesn't know this man that well.]

❰ it takes a second for this text to come through, but eventually tony's device pings. ❱

I understand.

I'm sorry.
If it makes you feel better, Bucky is a great Cap. He's doing fine.

I helped design his suit. I think you'd like it.

❰ steve has jumped to some pretty unpleasant conclusions so no, that doesn't help!!!

but that's not tony's fault. ❱

You were always pretty stylish.

Well. My you was.

I'm sorry I keep comparing the two of you.

It's all right.

I'm guessing we're a lot alike. Considering who we are.

Might be. Never got to know him very well to be able to say.

But even if you are, you're not him.

Well, I kind of am.

That's the problem, isn't it? I'll always be Tony Stark.

That doesn't have to be a bad thing. I apologize for giving the impression I think it is.

You can't help how you feel, Steve.
And I can't help being who I am.

IC inbox for duplicity

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