[ Steve leans back - it's a minute amount, barely an inch, but the movement of his shoulders and the mixture of defiance and fear in his gaze is unmistakable. ]
Aren't you? He has my name. My old name. He can stand to be around people. He's a hero. Why wouldn't you rather spend time with him.
[ There's a trace amount of bitterness, but it's directed at his own failings. The other Steve is Steve. For him it's that simple. ]
That's factually incorrect. [ Maybe he's been spending too much of what little time he can stand around people with Vision. Because that sounds a lot like the android. ] You are not second-rate.
And watch your language.
[ Obviously Steve has never, ever cussed at any point in his life. Never never. But that's irrelevant because, ]
[Yeah, you do sound an awful lot like a certain android right now. If anything, it sort of makes the situation worse.
Even if the snort a second later sounds almost like a laugh. Yeah, Steve. You've got the cleanest mouth ever. Of course.]
Because I can't. It's not an option, and he - has things he needs to do. Things I can't help him with. And I'm not going to ask him to stay for me.
[Even if that's maybe what Steve had asked, once, of Bucky - and of course he'd said yes.]
Besides. I guess I'm not second rate. [He leans back in the chair a little now, kicking at the ground.] There're two Bucky Barnes ahead of me. I'm third-rate, at best.
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no subject
Aren't you? He has my name. My old name. He can stand to be around people. He's a hero. Why wouldn't you rather spend time with him.
[ There's a trace amount of bitterness, but it's directed at his own failings. The other Steve is Steve. For him it's that simple. ]
no subject
He's different than you are. Not better. Different.
And yeah. I like spending time with him. But you're my best friend. I know you don't remember it. But I do. And you are.
If anyone's fucking second-rate, it's me. [His fists clench, but he doesn't look away. Even though he wants to.]
He's leaving. And I'm staying. With you.
no subject
And watch your language.
[ Obviously Steve has never, ever cussed at any point in his life. Never never. But that's irrelevant because, ]
I don't understand why you aren't going with him.
no subject
Even if the snort a second later sounds almost like a laugh. Yeah, Steve. You've got the cleanest mouth ever. Of course.]
Because I can't. It's not an option, and he - has things he needs to do. Things I can't help him with. And I'm not going to ask him to stay for me.
[Even if that's maybe what Steve had asked, once, of Bucky - and of course he'd said yes.]
Besides. I guess I'm not second rate. [He leans back in the chair a little now, kicking at the ground.] There're two Bucky Barnes ahead of me. I'm third-rate, at best.
[Fuck. Is this how Steve feels? It's awful.]
You're where I belong, though. I'm sure of that.