For Steve

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[This is a bad idea.

Bucky knows it as soon as he stops outside the little community centre where these classes run and he sees the other students milling about, chatting to each other in their own little cliques. The thing has been running for a while, it's an art group for anyone with any sort of mental health issue - depression, anxiety, psychosis. He's here for PTSD, practically bullied into it by his therapist at the VA, under the instructions that he needs to get out and start socialising more.

There are only six other people, four women and two men, and it already feels like too large a crowd. He makes sure his prosthetic is properly covered by a glove and long sleeve, stuffed into his pocket so nobody can tell it hangs strangely, and slouches in at the back. From the conversations he can overhear, blonde woman and redhead woman have anxiety issues, brunette #1 and the two men all have depression, and brunette #2 has psychosis. They're all so open with each other, chatting about medications and coping techniques and the work they've been doing in class already.

One of them approaches him and asks his name, and what he's there for, but he just glowers at her until she retreats again. He doesn't want anyone to know why he's here, and he's only here so Wilson will stop goddamn riding him about it.

He slumps into the seat nearest the back and waits for the teacher to arrive, already sure this is going to be a waste of time...]

Comments

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[Bucky didn't fully explain that, but it does explain why Steve is so eager to stick with him. Her voice softens a little, but is no less concerned.]

Perhaps more of an accident. Still, it is not a safe situation to be in, hm?

[andstripes]

[To be honest Steve doesn't particularly like the idea of explaining it - if Bucky doesn't, maybe he's not comfortable with it, that kinda deal, but given Natasha and the situation he'd bet money that was the only way she'd understand.]

Neither of us knew what to expect. We do now, we're working on it. I don't... I don't want to go into his personal life for him, but we had a talk.

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[She trusts Steve perhaps more than anyone, except possibly Clint, but she knows how much of a soft heart he has and how easily he forgives when it's someone he cares about.

She's not convinced.]

He can work on it while you are friends, there is no reason to ever stay with someone who has struck you. That is a lesson for life, Steve.

[At least he's been downgraded from Steven?]

[andstripes]

[He knows she probably has a point, really, and that's basically what Bucky told him too.

Along with being too soft-hearted though, Steve is far, far too stubborn.]

I'm not letting him go, Nat.

[Which sounds less like a soft and desperate plea and more like a promise to jump out of a building after him if that's what it takes to keep Bucky.]

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[And that's exactly what she's worried about, he'll cling on so tightly that he might well end up being pulled out of that window and be damaged irreversibly. She can't let that happen, not to Steve, not for anyone.]

If I told you that Clint hit me, no matter the reason, would you be happy if I stayed with him? I want you to be safe, Steve.

[andstripes]

This is different, Natasha. Clint and Bucky are entirely different situations.

[because we both no the answer is 'no']

I said we talked about it. If it happens more - then we'll figure something else out. This was just our first night together. Lesson learned.

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No.

[It's firm and resolute, as if she has the final say on his relationships.]

Not 'figure something out'. I might be persuaded to forgive one time, one, for a mistake not expected. But I want your word you will not stay if he hits you again, I will not watch you be beaten.

[andstripes]

He isn't some raging alcoholic wife beater or a cop on a power trip, Natasha! He's going to teach me boxing so if he has another I'll know how to respond.

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And that is why I am willing to forgive once.

[She thinks that's a big ask, and she's only willing to do that for Steve's sake.]

But once, Steven, that is all that anyone should give. Please promise me, as a friend.

[andstripes]

[the only reason he promises is because he's so unfailingly certain it won't happen again.]

I promise.

[advanced]

[Natasha breathes a relieved sigh, she knows that Steve never breaks a promise once it's made. A tiny part of her almost hopes that he gets hit again so that he can turn his back on a potentially dangerous relationship, but she's not stupid enough to say so.]

Good. You know it's only because I worry, and because you're an idiot. Now... how bad is it? Do you need me to come round?

[andstripes]

It's barely a break. Bucky's been fussing over me. His case worker is going to be stopping by tomorrow, too.

[And because he does adore Natasha but doesn't want to have to referee a fight between her and Bucky if she comes over anyway-]

And in the meantime I'm going to try to talk Bucky into more obnoxiously loud sex so, I'll be fine.

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[There's no way she believes him, she has long experience with Steve's 'barely a break' being 'really bad', but all she does is snort.]

If you can get it up on that many narcotics then I'll be impressed; but fine, I won't come over. Just call me tomorrow and check in, okay?

[andstripes]

[Since it isn't like Natasha can see him, Steve allows himself to cover his face with his hand in embarrassment.]

Yeah, I will. Promise.

[That's an easy one.]

Take care, Nat.

[advanced]

[She rings off the line, leaving him with nothing but his pain. If he wants to relieve that then he'll have to brave the lounge where Bucky is guarding those pills from his position half asleep on the couch.

It's possible that he could mission impossible his way in there and get some without waking Bucky... possible, but not probable.]

[andstripes]

[Steve lets Bucky sleep as long as he can. Bucky doesn't get enough sleep, and Steve has lived with pain so long he can power through it. He also doesn't want to try getting it from Bucky without waking him. Messing with sleeping Bucky was what got them into this mess in the first place.

So it isn't until the pain is damn near debilitating that Steve finally decides to wake him, standing just outside Arm's reach to gently call Bucky's name.]

... Bucky? Buck?

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[He doesn't sleep particularly deeply at any time, and the combination of Steve calling out for him and his dog nudging her wet nose into his neck when she sees someone trying to get his attention, makes his eyes snap open.]

...what? What is it? What's wrong?

[He's a bit disorientated, but he's not lashing out.]

[andstripes]

[Steve gives him a few moments to get his bearings, smiling a little to see Bucky's in a better mental place than he was last time.]

Meds?

[He tries to keep most of the strain out of his voice.]

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Oh.

[A look of concern spasms over his face, but it doesn't sink back into the guilt of before. He pushes off the couch and rubs his hand through his hair.]

You've gotta eat something with them, the nurse said, what do you want?

[And then, faux casual:]

I guess Natasha might've called?

[andstripes]

Cold pizza is fine.

[It's ready to go, and while Steve doesn't feel hungry he's taken painkillers of this caliber on an empty stomach before and knows it isn't something he wants to repeat. The burned hand learns best, as the saying goes.]

Yeah... yeah she did. We had a talk.

[He is Not Happy about that, but. What's done is done.]

[advanced]

How are you not dead yet?

[It's a hint of the sass he had before all this happened, feeling a bit better that even though a Talk had been had, she hadn't shown up to kick him out. That felt like both she and Sam were saying it was okay to take this second chance.]

You can't eat cold pizza when you've been hurt, you've gotta eat healthy. I'll make you an omelette.

[He tilts his head back towards Steve, something cautious but hopeful in his expression.]

She doesn't think you should be kicking me out?

[andstripes]

[It's on the tip of Steve's tongue to say that it doesn't matter what Natasha thinks because it's his and Bucky's relationship, not hers, and he would appreciate it if everyone stopped treating him like he was made of glass.

The cautious but hopeful expression kills that sentiment though. Bucky's worried. Bucky has every right to be worried. It's not about you, Steve he reminds himself.]

I talked her out of it. I think so anyway, if she doesn't break in to do it herself in the next twenty minutes we're in the clear.

[advanced]

[Right. Okay. He can do this, then. He abandons the kitchen long enough to lean over to Steve and press the lightest of kisses to his lips, trying not to aggravate the mess that his face was at the moment.]

Then I guess I don't have a choice but to stick around. Though I gotta ask, Rogers, when am I gonna start benefiting from those sweet post-it privileges you got for volunteering as art teacher to the broken and hopeless? It's the only reason I'm with you, you know?

[Back to the kitchen.

Why are there no eggs? Why is there nothing usable in this kitchen except sugar, coffee, bread, and leftover pizza? How is Steve not dead in a corner somewhere?]

[andstripes]

[The kiss does a lot to brighten Steve’s mood, bringing a smile to his face. He takes a seat on the couch, just so he can get off his feet and because he’s worried if he sits on his bed he’s going to pass out from the pain or exhaustion or both.]

Mmm? I have some in my desk, I suppose I can share the bounty.

[advanced]

[He ends up bringing Steve a plate of cold pizza and his medication, carefully portioned out, thanks to the dearth of eggs.]

Maybe I'll grab some after you don't look like you're about to collapse any more. Seriously, your first boxing lesson is how to duck.