definingfuture | IC inbox for duplicity

You're James Barnes.

[ He knows what thoughts can fill up the mind when things get bad. He's been there, done those awful things whether he remembered them or not, whether he really wanted to or not, and he would just as soon banish that doubt away from those around him than have them suffer. ]

You aren't what anyone else tried to make you. You still have your life. As long as you're still breathing, then you can change it. There's a future ahead.

[ And as optimistic and ignorant as that sounds, Tony's smile is steady, fixed on Bucky. ]

He'll understand. I believe he'll eventually come around, because he'll know what it can be like. Doing things... you don't want to do. I can't say he won't be angry, but I believe in him. And I believe in you.

And Steve. [ Tony squeezes Bucky's arm lightly. ] It sounds like you both need a little of that.

[ You're James Barnes, and it takes deliberate willpower to bite his tongue rather than speak up on instinct to insist, it's Bucky. Wouldn't wanna cut off some words of wisdom spoken from the heart, though, so he satisfies himself with a twitching jaw and dipping eyes, that duck down to the mug on Tony's coffee table.

They flicker back up at the squeeze of his arm, brows knit softly together, an expression on his face some mix of appreciative and restrained.

It's a good sentiment.
He hopes it's all true. Hopes this Stark is right about the way of things, though this man seems about a hundred times more kind than the man he met.

Circumstances being what they were... maybe a little benefit of the doubt ought to come with it.

He forces out a tight smile, as best he can. ]

Thanks. I- um... [ He passes his palms (palm, really) over his pants, breathes out slow. ] I'm not so good at touching moments. But. Thanks.

[ Which might just be preempting his cue to leave, because the mug's gone cold and his chest's gone tight, and he accomplished more or less what he set out to by coming here.

It's a start, anyway. ]

[ The tension remains, which Tony can tell isn't going to stop any time soon, but Bucky just needs some time. He'll let him sleep on it, give him some space, and eventually it'll work out. If his calculations are right, this conversation has actually gone well. ]

I make your nervous.

[ He can't hide his amusement. ]

That's all right. You'll get used to it. I'm glad you came by, you know? I was starting to wonder if you guys ever made friends with each other.

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