fossilised | For Steve

[At the assurance Steve gets his jacket and tells his coworker he’s going to finally take his lunch break, heading out of the dilapidated building with Rebecca. Heh. Becca and Bucky, he thinks to himself, though he knows better than to comment on matchy nicknames for siblings as they make their way to the bagel place Bucky had pointed out to him that first day and Steve had taken to going to every chance he got.

Again, he should probably be intimidated but he’s just sliding back too much to cheerful. If Bucky’s sister was coming to give him the shovel talk, that meant Bucky mentioned Steve, right?]

Really? That actually happens? I thought that was invented for movies.

[Steve’s dad died when he was little, after all, and his mother had passed away before he hit college, and the amount of dates he had been on could be counted on one hand with fingers left over.He smiles at Rebecca.]

Well I can promise I won’t get him ‘in a family way’, what else do these talks usually consist of?

[Damn it, he's pretty charming and Becca has to work hard not to smile back at him. She's not a stern person by nature, usually sunny and smiling, but she takes Bucky's well-being very seriously these days and so she fights to keep her stern expression right through going into the bagel place, ordering, and finding a seat.]

Very funny, Mr. Rogers.

[She sits back in her chair and folds her arms, looking probably more like a caricature of a school principle than someone taking this seriously.]

I want to make sure you're not going to hurt him, and you're not in this for the wrong reasons. I get that this is only a first date, and I'm not asking for you to give me some sort of commitment, I just need to be sure you're not a big jerk. So-- first question, the arm. You're not either a) freaked out by it, or b) some weird perv into amputee fetish stuff, are you?

[Steve sits down across from Becca, coffee in his hands as he sips it, waiting for her questions. Honestly, this is all a huge relief to Steve, to know that Bucky does have someone looking out for him. Steve was a little worried he was going to end up hitting overbearing mother hen mode too fast and put Bucky off, but he can rest a little easier knowing his aren’t the only set of eyes watching out there.

Of course, he doesn’t get a chance to say any of this, because the ‘fetish’ comment has him going red and almost spitting up his coffee.]

What? I- no, no, that’s not it. I. I grew up on army bases and volunteer with vet services. I don’t think it’s something you can ever really get used to but… it is what it is, you know? He seemed pretty self-concious about it so I tried not to bring it up.

[That's a good answer-- a really good answer. She'd never have believed someone who protested that it didn't make a difference at all, because of course it did, the prosthetic still freaks her out sometimes even though she knows it's there. But he obviously isn't a perv, nor does he seem too bothered by it. So that's one positive mark, but she's not going to tell him how he does until she's asked enough to be satisfied one way or the other.]

Okay, so what about the other issues, how do you feel about all of that? Pretty daunting for a guy looking for a first date, don't you think?

[Perhaps she could be less blunt, but she likes being honest and having people be honest in return. Besides, blunt gives her the shock value, which usually leads to less thinking time and more honest reactions.]

[Steve's still got some residual blush across his cheeks, but he struggles through it none the less trying to pretend it's not going on.]

Actually, all things considered I thought he was doing really well given his situation. Especially considering he didn't have a service dog or the like.

Um, the point is though that he's, uh, extremely attractive, of course [oh god talking about this with his SISTER of all people] and the whole date thing - I'm really really glad he said yes, but even if he didn't I'd still want to be there for him as a friend.

[She doesn't bother to correct him that Bucky can seem like he's doing really well sometimes, and then crash back down other times. It's like a rollercoaster, but he'll find that out himself, since the comment about being a friend tips her over into approving.

She finally gives him a smile and settles back to sip her coffee.]

Glad to hear it, because I'd have hated to have to punch such a handsome face for being a jerk. I was hoping you were nice, I haven't seen Bucky smile as much as he did when he told me about you than I have in a long time.

[Steve figures if he manages to hurt Bucky he'd deserve a punch to the face - not that it would be worse than the pain of knowing he hurt Bucky in the first place.

Steve's grin goes a little goofy at her last statement.]

He talked about me, then? And smiled?

[Please please tell him more Steve is so smitten and hanging on every word here.]

[Okay, this is rapidly turning into some kind of cheesy romcom, and she can't help the way she's grinning right back.]

No. I'm here because I'm psychic, he never mentioned some cute guy who asked him out at all.

[She takes a bite of her bagel. Wow that's good.]

I'm not sorry for coming on so strong, he's been through a lot and I want to make sure he doesn't go through anything else.

He said I'm cute?

[:D :D :D :D :D as if he didn't already know Bucky found him attractive. But still hearing that Bucky called him attractive to someone else as well... squee.]

No, no, please. I'm relieved actually. I was a little worried he didn't have anyone looking out for him, and I tend to go a little over protective sometimes so... I was worried about getting, well, worried and then coming on too strong if he didn't have anyone else.

That's-- really nice of you, but he has me. We've got another two sisters as well, but they live out of state with our Dad and they're a bit younger.

[The way she says their 'dad' sounds a bit like she's describing something that tastes bad, but it passes fast.]

And yes, he said you were cute. He also said you were charming, smart, sweet, and way out of his league. I can kind of see what he means, I thought he was just being down on himself, but wow. If you weren't interested in guys, I might be asking for your number.

[Give Steve a second here he's positively over the moon at finding out Bucky described him that way. Except the 'out of his league' part. Steve would argue that's the other way around.]

Also socially awkward, a chronic meddler, and have been on maybe ... two dates... ever... I'm really really thankful your brother is giving me a chance. I just feel like... like I know we just met but it already feels like I've known him my whole life.

S-sorry, this is probably an awkward thing to hear from the guy your sibling is dating. Going to date. We haven't actually had a real date yet.

What if I screw it up what can I do to make sure I don't screw this up does he have any allergies I should know about?

[Becca stares at him for a moment, before she simply bursts into laughter. Oh my God, he's actually adorable, and he seems so utterly sincere about wanting to impress her dumb brother. She feels a rush of affection for him.]

Okay, okay-- chill out, Steve.

[Steve now, not Mr. Rogers.]

I guess if you buy me a slice of that fudge cake to go after my bagel, I might see my way to being your official conspirator in wooing my brother. What do you say? Fair terms?

[if there was a world record for speed at obtaining and presenting a slice of fudge cake? Steve just broke it.]

[Okay, she is officially on his side now, taking the plate with a mock-solemn nod.]

The deal is done.

[She thinks for a moment.]

Okay, no allergies, but he really hates fish. I don't know why, he's just weird, so don't make anything fishy. Before-- he used to like dancing, he was a boxer, uh--

No fish, got it.

[Steve nods along with Becca's instructions. He's inexperienced with romance outside of stories and daydreams and watching his friends, so Steve thinks it's perfectly fair to get help from her. He can see Bucky being a dancer and a boxer, with what Steve could figure of the physique he had.

Steve has never been dancing, himself. It continues to baffle him that Bucky isn't swarmed with waves of admirers.]

Any particular kind of dancing?

[Maybe Steve should learn.]

Pretty old fashioned dancing.

[Her face softens into a fond look.]

We're the closest in age of the four of us, and when Mom died, he tried to look out for me. I'd always wanted to learn how to do old dancing, ballroom or swing or Latin, so he signed me up for classes and came along as my partner. He got better than me, especially in those forties dances like the Lindy-Hop or a proper jive.

[She doesn't know how well that would work out with only one arm, but she kind of wishes he'd give it a go again.]

So how about you? What special skills are you hiding?

Ah, not really anything... I did some track and field in college and try to keep up with working out for my health and all, but other than that... Art? Mostly? Graphite is probably my favorite but I dabble in a little of everything if I can get the supplies for it. I'm hoping to be able to do a gallery showing soon, but I try to just focus on doing it because I love it more than anything.

That's so cool, if you manage to get a gallery showing then you need to tell me.

[Finally having finished her bagel, she starts in on her slice of cake.]

You, uh, maybe shouldn't mention that I came to see you, though. Make it seem like all of these ideas are yours and impress him.

[Steve picks at the remainder of his bagel, looking a little uncomfortable. Lying never sit well with him. Moreover, he doesn't want to violate Bucky's trust.]

Are you sure? I don't want him to find out and thing that - that I was lying to him or something. I want him to know he can trust me.

[Wow, he really is a boy scout, isn't he? Somehow it's still endearing even though he's probably going to get her into trouble with Bucky.]

You do whatever you're comfortable with, but just know that he'll murder me when he finds out I came to see you.

[She huffs a sigh.]

Are you sure you want to be an accessory to sister-cide?

[A fair point, and Steve cringes a bit at that. He doesn't want to get anyone in trouble here, either.]

What if I vouched for you?

Then you just might go down with me. No, it's fine, save yourself, I'll cope.

[She puts on a long suffering expression, spoiled a bit by her enjoyment of the cake that she hasn't stopped eating.]

Look-- joking aside, if there's anything you want to know about him and... well, what happened, then ask me. Because he doesn't talk about it, I don't want you to step on landmines, and if anything's a dealbreaker then it's best you know now so you can find a way to gently extricate yourself.

[Oh no, Steve is absolutely throwing himself on that landmine. He's already trying to come up with how to phrase it so if Bucky gets mad at anyone he gets mad at Steve.

The last question gives him pause, though. It's true, he was curious. Deeply curious. He wanted to make sure he didn't say or do anything that hit bad memories for Bucky, but it was a bit like walking blindfolded through a minefield. Sure Steve had a lot of training and experience doing just that, but the danger remained the same.

He was okay catching that blast himself, but he didn't want to make Bucky go through that. So he asks, quietly and gently as possible,]

Just... what happened, I guess. I don't think there's anything that could make it a dealbreaker for me, but I don't want to like... make popcorn for a movie night and have him start thinkin' it's gunfire.

[If she knew that he plans on throwing himself on the grenade to protect her, she might well ask him to marry her there and then and forget Bucky altogether. Men this sweet just don't exist outside of the movies.

But all joviality dies out pretty quick. There's a deep grief in her eyes, not just for what happened, but an echo of the months she spent thinking he might never come back home again. Missing in action; those horrible words that had been all she had to cling to for so long.]

Even I don't know all of it, some bits are classified and most of it he just won't talk about. But I know that he was out on a mission with a few others and they were ambushed, most were killed, and a few were captured. He spent four months as a prisoner in an extremist camp. I know they tortured him, but I don't know any details, and I only know that because of the medical records when he was flown back Stateside.

[She goes silent for a moment, hands gripping the coffee mug a bit too hard.]

I know he escaped by cutting his own hand off at the wrist, and he still managed to help get the other two survivors out, but the surgeons had to take the rest of it because it got infected. He has memory issues sometimes, and... yeah, he can get triggered by loud noises, crowds. Sometimes he's fine, and sometimes something really small sets him off. He got a bunch of medals and a discharge, it's not something he's coped with very well.

[Her voice is a bit husky now, but she's keeping her composure as she looks at him fiercely.]

He's a hero to me, even if he's a bit broken, and that's why I had to make sure you weren't going to hurt him. It's a lot to deal with, I know, so just... if it's too much, I don't blame you, but let him down gently.

[Steve's face remains concerned and worried while he listens. Again, he thinks that Bucky is so resiliant, considering what he went through. What they know of what they went through.

He smiles a little at Rebecca's last comment, taking a sip of the last of his coffee that's left.]

Did he say how we met? I volunteer to teach art classes at the rec center. He was in the Emotional Wellness and Therapy Through the Arts class. I knew what I was getting into when I asked him out. Not a lot scares me, and I don't think anything about him ever could.

[Steve is already deeply smitten, here.]

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