#alt!post blip

[redeemablesoldier]

Timelines and Choices

It was harder for him than anyone could really imagine, letting Steve step onto that platform. They'd survived a century, together and apart, and somehow had always made it back to one another. Hydra, history, and aliens be damned. "I'm gonna miss you, buddy," he admitted as he had let go and Steve's reassurance fell flat in his mind. Bucky wasn't that lucky, not anymore, and hadn't been for a very long time.

He kept his gaze on Steve, knowing it was probably the last time he'd get to see him, at least like this. Brooklyn boys, always together, from neighborhood to battlefield. He trusted Steve, always had, and wanted him to do what would make him happy. Banner in the background was little more than a buzz in his brain and when it didn't connect as it should, his head hung for a moment.

He kept his silence as he turned around, looking at Banner and Sam for the briefest of moments before turning his attention to the lake. It was a peaceful spot, and a part of him hated it for that.

@walkitoffrogers

[winged-cap]

Sam had known the moment a sad, hang-dog golden retriever of a national icon had shown up at his doorstep that his life was going to change. He’d lost some of the peace and quiet, had gained some more adventure and adrenaline rushes that he had thought he had left behind after his final tour. He couldn’t bring himself to mind too much. There were days, though, when he wondered just how long they were going to be at this.

It had been a few months since he had agreed to help Steve hunt down Bucky Barnes. Wasn’t that the separation story of the century right there. He’d needed to step away from the moping and intense focus that was Steve Rogers in full Captain America hunting mode. He could barely remember what country they were in, but he knew one thing: he needed coffee. He wasn’t enhanced, he wasn’t a god. He was just a man with excellent training. He settled himself at a little cafe down the street from their safe house and ordered a strong cup of coffee, taking a deep breath and letting his eyes drift over the people walking. 

There were certain things he was starting to get used to looking for, to noticing, so the new presence sliding into the chair across from him didn’t phase him in the slightest. “Hello, Natasha,” he chuckled as he caught the eye of his waitress to lift a pair of fingers to get another coffee.

@vvidowbite​

[thestarkstillstanding]

I must look better in the rear view || Stank & Platypus

There was a part of him that was happy Cap was settling down, was finding some of that elusive happiness. He knew that he’d embraced his downtime, the retired life and family thing. It suited him more than he had ever expected. There were certain things he’d never let go of. Primarily a person, though he liked to think it was mutual. Once Cap had left, the first thing he did was dial Rhodey. 

It didn’t matter that it made him feel young again, calling his best friend because he was slightly distressed over an emotion. At least by now, she was used to it. There was just something about having her around that made everything better. Plus, she could tell him whether he was being an idiot or responding accurately. It was kind of something he relied on, not that he actually told her that, but still. 

He had to not mention the Platypus where Morgan could hear if he wanted to keep his hearing intact. His daughter idolized her aunt, for better or worse, and it was a terrifying, beautiful thing... just like Morgan herself. 

@rhodestoruin​

[redeemablesoldier]

Unbreak the Broken

Waiting for the summons to appear in court had loomed over him like a dark cloud. Once it came, it was like one weight was taken off, but it brought home the reality of what his life was until this passed. It was much better to it to be wrapped up sooner rather than later, though, so he and Steve could move on with their life together one way or another.

He wanted to have faith, but he also knew that governments ran on agendas and not genuine human understanding. Courts of law were not infallible, and his history was a convoluted one to unravel and he knew it. Steve was at his back and by his side, he knew that. But in this, he had to relive everything from the war and after. 

Unfortunately, he could understand every argument both for and against his pardon. His choice or not, his hands had done every deed they brought up. Being called the longest standing P.O.W. in history made him cringe and his throat tighten because it was hard to see himself that way. This first break had him looking at Steve before going to find the quietest corner the security detail assigned to keep an eye on him would allow him to have. Again, a cautionary measure he couldn’t particularly blame them for.

@walkitoffrogers​

[justlikethenamesays]

catch me when i fall

Now, Clint had his favorite people and there was no denying that. No one could touch Natasha’s place, and he lived to torment Agent Coulson. Some of his hands down favorite times, though, were when Thor was hanging around and there was downtime. The Asgardian was almost always down for some of his more ridiculous ideas, which made Clint very happy and gave everyone else headaches. 

He’d put on his uniform that had been modified with a few extra leather straps that made him grin as he went in search of his thunderous friend. “Thor! Buddy! I have an idea,” he shot him a grin, pure mischief and excitement that was borderline ridiculous for a man his age and he didn’t care one bit. “I’ve got three words for you, Catch and Release.” 

@thorfromwork​