video (un: s.rogers)

[starspangled]

[it's steve's first time on the network, though anyone who's met the other steve might need a second glance. he's sitting on his bed, a box of cookies on one side, and a familiar shield propped up against his knee.]

So I guess I'm not one of the new kids anymore. [there's new names, new faces - some familiar ones too.] For anyone who just got here, it's okay if you feel a little bit overwhelmed. I woke up once before and the world had changed, so I guess I might've been a little more prepared for it than most. My advice is to keep busy if you can - they say action is the antidote to despair. Find your friends too, or make new ones. There's no shortage of good people here.

[that's not his cue, but might as well make his introduction here.]

My name's Steve Rogers - the other one. If I can lend a hand with something, if you need an escort beyond the fences, just say the word. [steve glances down, gripping the edge of his shield for a moment.] Someone must've gone through some trouble to get this back to me. I figure I owe it to them to put it to good use.

Now, if it's the cookies you're asking about... [steve sighs, like that requires a little more consideration.] They're really good, but my ma did teach me to share. I bet I could get some more, maybe even some homemade ones.

[that little smirk has 'right, sam?' written all over it.]

Comments

[starspangled]

To be honest, I didn't mind putting it down for awhile.

[just admitting that makes steve feel like he's different from his counterpart. but that sort of guilt is kind of the whole point.]

[anotheroldsoldier]

I didn't mean that. You deserve a break. But I don't think it's something just anyone can carry. [Hell, half the time, Bucky still wonders if he should be carrying it. He still looks at it and wonders if he shouldn't just give it back to Steve. But... it means something, to him.]

Whoever does carry it... it's gotta mean something to them too.

[starspangled]

The shield is important.

[on that he can agree. but he thinks back to the last thing that tony said to him - you don't deserve it. my father made that shield.. suddenly proving himself worthy of it and doing what he felt was right were at odds.]

Is yours as banged up as mine?

[anotheroldsoldier]

[Looking at this Steve, he wonders if the burden weighs on him too, just like it has on every Cap on Earth-616. Does he have anyone to share that burden with him?]

She's been through a lot, but she doesn't show her age that much.

[starspangled]

I think I heard Natasha say the same thing about me once.

[anotheroldsoldier]

[There's a slight, barely perceptible flinch when he mentions Natasha. It's small, it would pass by most people, but Steve - any Steve - might be able to spot the way his jaw tenses.]

You don't show your age period. You look barely outta basic. [He tries to save it with a joke, to cover it up.]

[starspangled]

[he's about to quip that bucky obviously didn't see him when he was in basic, but that reaction doesn't get by him.]

Something I said?

[anotheroldsoldier]

[Figures. He can't get anything by any Steve Rogers.]

It's nothing. You and Natasha are... close? [He wonders how close, if that was why their Natasha reacted so badly to meeting Bucky.]

[starspangled]

We are. She's a good friend, she's done a lot for me, and I'd do the same for her. What about the Natasha from your world? What's she like?

[anotheroldsoldier]

She's... different. From the one I met here. [It's hard to talk about, though. It's still hard to think about the Natasha he left behind. If it weren't for the reassurance that he'd be returned to the moment he was pulled from, he'd worry how she would take this.]

[starspangled]

That's kinda the way it goes, right? We all have our differences.

[anotheroldsoldier]

Yeah, I know. [He breathes out a quiet sigh.] Different timelines, different people. It was just a little jarring, when I met her out on the fence.

[starspangled]

I imagine you were something of a surprise too.

[steve knows there's something there. he can't imagine what, if it's good or bad, and sometimes there's a fine line between prying and concern. but he has to ask.]

What about you? Were the two of you close?

[anotheroldsoldier]

The shield surprised her more. [She hadn't even recognized him as a Barnes. He can put two and two together.]

Closer than your Barnes and Romanoff. We're... colleagues. [She's his love. She's his everything. She quiets his demons.]

[starspangled]

You have history?

[anotheroldsoldier]

History is a good word for it.

[starspangled]

You're sure about that? Sometimes second chances show up despite all odds.

[anotheroldsoldier]

I don't really want to get into it. The Natasha I know isn't here.

[starspangled]

Understood.

[steve nods gently. he wonders if she might before it's all said and done. it wouldn't surprise him.]