Video (Seelie & Hermione-Net Compass)

[starspangled]

For anyone who doesn't know me, my name's Steve Rogers. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to meet many of you at the feast. Things came up, but I at least wanted to introduce myself.

[For reasons, curiosity. Maybe he's a limited edition but he's definitely not one of a kind.]

I also wanted to talk about something else. Some of you might remember Sam Wilson - in fact, if you ever met him, I'm willing to bet that you do. Sam served two tours in the military, so he could definitely hold his own in a fight. But what he really loved to do was help people. My entire world had turned its back on me, and Sam took me in, made me bacon and eggs. That's the kind of friend I hope to be to anyone who'd call me one.

[Emphasis on 'anyone'.]

Sam's gone now, but he started working on something before he left. It's a clinic, he called it The Nest. There's some medicine and stuff there, but it was more than that. It was a place for people to come if they just needed to talk, or if they needed to rest. I never realized it before, but sometimes in a war people need that as much as they need bandaging up.

[Steve pauses there to take deep breath. Here comes the hard part.]

This is my friend's legacy, and I've tried to keep it afloat. The problem is, I don't know how. And it's hard for me to ask for help sometimes.

[He can barely even maintain eye contact. But the same thing keeps going through his head, fuels him on: for Sam.]

But if you have anything to offer...if you have medical knowledge or if you're just a good listener, even if you want somewhere else to stay. There's a place for you here.

I guess that's it. Again, welcome, and try to watch yourselves out there.

Comments

private

[wipedclean]

[He sighs deeply, his shoulders slumping as he does.]

So you... shrink?

private

[starspangled]

That's one way of putting it.

[And it would be a correct way.]

I've only used it once to help a guy who was loading a wagon. And it's temporary. I just wanted you to know in case you ever saw me. I didn't want you to....panic or something.

private

[wipedclean]

[He nods slowly, worries his lip between his teeth. He doesn't like it, but it's something he has to get used to.]

Just... be careful.

[He's quiet, and he considers for a moment before he continues.]

I can turn into a bear now.

[Since they're sharing transformations or whatever.]

private

[starspangled]

You know me.

[Because he was always so careful at that size. His smile drops at Bucky's news.]

A bear? I bet that's- [There's a lot of ways to finish that sentence. Surprising. Intimidating. Amazing. All true and all words he considers before settling on one.]

Pretty cute, actually.

[Sorry you're always gonna be his Bucky bear.]

private

[wipedclean]

[He frowns a little.]

It's a big bear, it's not cute.

private

[starspangled]

No - no, I'm sure it's terrifying!

[Steve can tell that he's offended him. And he's telling the truth, a bear would be pretty crazy and terrifying to most people. But so would the Winter Soldier. Steve just has considerably less fear when it comes to Bucky.]

I still hope I get to see it.

private

[wipedclean]

[He nods, pacified, and tilts his head a little as he considers.]

You shrink around me I'm gonna pick you up and carry you out of there.

private

[starspangled]

[There's a sudden burst of laughter at that, the real deal.]

Wouldn't be the first time you've hauled me away from trouble by the scruff of my neck.

private

[wipedclean]

[The laugh gets him grinning a little.]

Might be less pleasant if I'm doing it with bear teeth.

private

[starspangled]

But you'll still patch me up, right?

private

[wipedclean]

[A heavy sigh and he rolls his eyes.]

I guess.

private

[starspangled]

See, now I'm kinda looking forward to it.

private

[wipedclean]

Typical.

[But there's a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.]

private

[starspangled]

Like you haven't been dying to come at me with the iodine. You used to paint me with the stuff.

private

[wipedclean]

[ He frowns a little. He remembers more recently, especially during his talks with Steve. They tend to bring things back more naturally, and he appreciates it more than he can say.

But he's running into a wall with this one, the memory not resurfacing as easily as others have.

Finally he gives up, sighs, shakes his head slightly.]

You probably needed it.

private

[starspangled]

Probably. I think you needed to do it, too.

private

[wipedclean]

[He still can't really remember, and it bothers him, but what Steve says makes sense, so he shrugs slightly and nods.]

Probably.