[Sorry, Buck, Steve's an optimist, and hearing that Bucky remembers everything feels like a step in a good direction, the right direction. That feeling that's kinda like hope swells a little bigger.
He doesn't miss the wariness in Bucky's voice, though, or in the way he's watching Steve; and that's hard, but maybe it's understandable—Christ, Steve can't even begin to understand what Bucky's been through, what he's going through now. It breaks Steve's heart to do so, but he takes a step back, away from Bucky. He's trapped in this house with Steve, but Steve can at least try to give him a little space to breathe. Steve turns to look for someplace to sit—and jumps a little at the figure standing near him, frozen in time. He'd... maybe kinda forgotten they were there.]
Jeez. [Steve lets out a breath, the faintest whisper of a nervous chuckle. He clears his throat, glances at Bucky.] They're, uh. Harmless, far as I can tell. So far anyway. Haven't moved in half an hour. [He takes a few steps over to a couch and sits, folding his hands. The gap between them feels like a chasm. It hurts. But it's necessary, if Bucky's going to look at Steve like he's a snake that might bite him.
Steve stares at Bucky, not sure what to say. There's so much to say, where does he even start?]
...You pulled me out of the river. Right? I didn't imagine that. [He remembers a metal hand, reaching for him, although sometimes it feels like a dream. His voice goes a little quieter.] ...You saved my life. Again. ...Thank you.
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He doesn't miss the wariness in Bucky's voice, though, or in the way he's watching Steve; and that's hard, but maybe it's understandable—Christ, Steve can't even begin to understand what Bucky's been through, what he's going through now. It breaks Steve's heart to do so, but he takes a step back, away from Bucky. He's trapped in this house with Steve, but Steve can at least try to give him a little space to breathe. Steve turns to look for someplace to sit—and jumps a little at the figure standing near him, frozen in time. He'd... maybe kinda forgotten they were there.]
Jeez. [Steve lets out a breath, the faintest whisper of a nervous chuckle. He clears his throat, glances at Bucky.] They're, uh. Harmless, far as I can tell. So far anyway. Haven't moved in half an hour. [He takes a few steps over to a couch and sits, folding his hands. The gap between them feels like a chasm. It hurts. But it's necessary, if Bucky's going to look at Steve like he's a snake that might bite him.
Steve stares at Bucky, not sure what to say. There's so much to say, where does he even start?]
...You pulled me out of the river. Right? I didn't imagine that. [He remembers a metal hand, reaching for him, although sometimes it feels like a dream. His voice goes a little quieter.] ...You saved my life. Again. ...Thank you.