video;

[noparachute]

[The first time this happened was bad enough, but a second time? He was getting very tired of being tossed around by these people. But he would have to do something about that later, right now he needed to check on Bucky. He... he was here, he remembered that. The person he was going to start searching for with Sam was in this city.

It didn't take him long to find Bucky (and Tony). And wow. Those two were definitely something special. They owed him a big explanation for this.

After he made sure that those idiots were getting some sort of rest, Steve decided to toss something up on the network. He definitely knew how to use it and he needed to address some of the people here. Best and fastest way was to do this.]

Just lost another three days here. [He tried to look easygoing about it, but there was definitely some irritation in his now more modern features. His hair was a little shorter and he was actually wearing jeans with a non-plaid shirt.] And looks like I missed a whole lot while I was gone.

[Tony explained what happened, the malfunctioning of the suit. The fight. It was a big mess, but at least they were going to recover. A lot of his irritation disappeared at the thought and now he looked grateful as he continued to address the video.]

But wanted to thank those that checked up on Bucky and Tony, made sure they were okay. I wasn't there to help when I should've been. [Maybe it wasn't his fault, but he still felt responsible. However, he tried to push away that guilt for now and instead smiled a little wryly at the feed.] They're friends of mine that get into more trouble than they should. Can't look away from them for two seconds before they come back bloodied and bruised.

[Although, Steve wasn't really better. Probably worse, actually. But details.]

And if anyone wants to tell me their side, be happy to hear it.

Comments

[Video]

[smallspot]

Lord James said it was a big misunderstanding! Is he okay? He was really hurt!

[Diarmuid doesn't seem concerned about Tony even though he has met the man now. Perhaps, for once, an adult has not left that great of an impression on him.]

You were sent home again? How are you doing? How long were you there? It's not your fault, you know!

[Diarmuid knows just a little--even as his young age--about feeling responsible for things you can't control.]

Don't blame yourself. You are here now and that is what matters!

[Video]

[noparachute]

He'll be okay. [It definitely was a big misunderstanding and Tony and Bucky were actually getting along now. Somewhat. He walked in on them with Tony using Bucky's metal hand as a cooling pad.] Gonna make sure of it myself. It'll be bed rest and bandages for him until he recovers.

[So Steve was being a little more overprotective right now, but he thought Bucky was dead again back home. He didn't see him for 70 years... until all of his memories suddenly returned again. Then he only missed him for 3 days. It was strange to say the least.]

I was, for two years. [There was so much he could say, how SHIELD ended up being HYDRA. How he helped take down a huge international organization that almost killed millions of people. But he didn't want to worry Diarmuid about these things. Him watching over Bucky was more than enough.] Lot of things happened, but made it through in one piece. Had my friends by my side, wouldn't have made it through without them.

[He made a new friend, Sam Wilson, who was one of the best guys he knew. And he also grew closer to Natasha, so that went pretty well. Sure he didn't get to talk with the other Avengers that much and maybe some part of him was sad about that, but maybe that could still change in the future. Most importantly though, he found Bucky again.]

Not much use dwelling on somethin' I can't change, right? [He definitely couldn't stop himself from feeling some guilt, but he wasn't going to continue moping about it. Especially not in front of Diarmuid.] Going to do my best now to not let anyone down, including you.

[Video]

[smallspot]

Doing your best is all anyone can ask of you! That is what father tells me. As long as you try your best, even if you fail, you have nothing to be ashamed of! You just learn what you can from things and get stronger so you don't fail the next time.

[So, Steve is right. Lingering doesn't help anyone. All it does is keep the person who is lingering from moving forward and becoming stronger.]

I am glad Lord James is going to be okay. He was hurting so much when I found him, but he didn't want to let me know. I could tell, though! He wasn't moving right or breathing right. I noticed and Kit did too!

[Diarmuid gives Steve a curious look.]

Why are adults like that? Why do they hide things from people who want to help them? We can't help if we don't know what is wrong! We are friends, right? And friends help each other just like your friends back home helped you! I want to do that for you and for Lord James!

[He knows he's little and that limits what he can do, but he has a bit heart. That counts for something, right?]

[Video]

[noparachute]

[He's not in complete agreement with that, but he's not about to argue with him on it. It's a good moral to have as a kid, so Steve didn't think there would be much of a reason to make him stop believing in that.

But he was willing to answer his questions a bit more honestly.]

Can't speak for all adults, but sometimes we just want to keep things to ourselves. Carry our burden silently and not bother others with our problems. [It's Steve's reason for being quiet about his problems a lot, although he's now taken the method of smiling through things. And for the longest time, Steve didn't think his problems really could be solved either. Truthfully, part of him still thinks that.]

[Video]

[smallspot]

But there is no reason to carry things alone! Not when you have friends to help you get through them.

[Unfortunately, Steve's answer doesn't really help Diarmuid understand any better. However, maybe if he asks a few more questions he can figure it out.]

Are people ashamed of needing help? Everyone needs help sometimes! There is no reason to be ashamed. And friends don't think helping each other is a burden. There is no reason not to tell them!

[video]

[toughtalk]

Was wondering where you went off to, Cap.

[Not that she was worried or anything b-baka.

It's just apparently everyone goes nuts when you're away.]

Where DID you go, anyway? And who the hell is Bucky?

[video]

[noparachute]

You know, the usual. Stoppin' people that wanna conquer the world, it's getting popular nowadays.

[Steve being the voice of reason is a rather scary thought.]

Back home, America. [He becomes a lot more serious at her last comment though, instantly tensing as the words went through his mind. It was the exact same phrase Bucky said to him not too long ago... when he looked at Steve with that blank expression and no recognition at all. Of course he's doing better now in Saeng Seong, but the memory is still fresh and it stings a bit.]

Has a metal arm. Long hair, doesn't talk much.

[video]

[toughtalk]

Just can't stop bein' the hero, can you? You're gonna put all the big bads out of a job.

[America. She'd heard of something like that. Maybe in one of Nautica's vast summaries of the Autobot/Decepticon war. Emphasis on the 'maybe'--she tended to tune out those summaries. But she gets what he's talking about...it's the same thing that Lightning described to her, from what it seems like.

Although, her 'eyebrows' raise up at the description.]

Oh, you mean Strongarm. Didn't think he had an actual name.

[video]

[noparachute]

Wouldn't call it being a hero, just wanna do what's right. Not always easy I found, prefer just knowin' who to punch. [And he's pretty certain that some people in the US government doesn't like him very much after the whole stint with SHIELD.] Be great if I can get them all unemployed though, maybe I can finally go to a retirement home.

[Strongarm?? That's a new nickname for Bucky. How many nicknames does he have now anyway?]

James Buchanan Barnes. He's my best friend, ever since we were young.

[Video]

[callmewhateveryuwant]

Did you go back home?

But I'm glad to see you're alright.

[Physically at least.]

[Video]

[noparachute]

Sure did. Finally got the time to watch through Star Wars too. [Also he took down an international spy organization, but he wasn't about to go into that.]

Thank you, glad that you're doing well too. Is Banchou up to his usual antics?

[Video]

[callmewhateveryuwant]

[yu boss]

I've seen him visit his sister from time to time; at least no fires have popped up.

[Video]

[noparachute]

[Banchou has a sister? And what does that have to do with fire?? All this sounds a little worrying honestly.]

Starting fires a habit for them?

video

[hellfire_gouka]

Tell me you weren't gone another several decades?

[It was bad enough the first time Steve came back and he felt and acted completely different. His appearance has changed a little, but not nearly as much as then, at least.]

I, uh... don't know if Stark left any of that mac and cheese I made for anyone else, but my guess is probably not. [Which might be his way of saying he might bring more? Maybe?] Are those two getting along now, at least?

video

[noparachute]

Just a couple years this time. No ice or waking up in a fake 1940s room either.

[THANKS SHIELD]

Only thing he left for us was an empty bowl. [THANKS TONY] But they're getting along now, even managed to sit on the same couch together for a long time.

[hellfire_gouka]

Well, that's... significantly better. Still, two years is a while to be away. I hope everything's okay back home.

[He makes a face at the thought of Stark briefly, but his expression says that he expected it at the same time. He's soon surprised, however.]

Wow, that's a huge improvement from trying to kill each other. Did they manage that without you there? How did that happen?

[noparachute]

[Things are still a bit of a mess, but...] People are gonna pull through back home. Even after everything, they can and will continue fighting.

Guess it only takes both of 'em beaten up to the point where they actually listen to each other. [At least them getting along was a nice thing to come back to... although the injuries were not so much.] Talking and explaining things like civil human beings apparently does wonders.

[...So he's still a little exasperated with them.]

SOME TIME EALIER..... [action]

[ironyman]

[Well, the Case of the Murderous Cyborg has been solved. The Case of What The Hell Happened To My Suit has yet to be solved.

Tony gave up wondering why Barnes was being uncharacteristically helpful. Wasn't worth it at the time, still isn't now. What is worth something is how cold that metal arm gets. Tony discovered that particular bit of information when Barnes was bandaging some of his wounds, and he's very glad he did. Who needs ice packs when there's an especially obliging metal-armed miscreant around?

Also, as it turns out, the cybernetic arm doesn't hurt when stuck in normally uncomfortable positions for hours. Like, for instance, stretched out with the palm turned inward so Tony can hold the back of Barnes' delightfully chilly metal hand--sans glove, naturally--against his bruised cheek. In fact, that's how Steve will find them when he returns.]

Did I tell you he used to punch out Hitler? He used to punch out Hitler. He had some kind of line about the Germans are gonna think twice about getting the drop on us--honest to God, cheesiest thing I've ever seen.

[... He also may be telling Bucky embarrassing stories about Steve's USO tour. Oops.]

video and audio is for losers. action life

[heismymission]

[After having returned to the apartment with an offering of food the night after their fight, it seemed like things got a little easier. He was determined to make sure Stark healed correctly in order to make up for the mistakes he'd made, and the engineer had thankfully been willing to accept. They even shared a few drinks, which even he could tell was a pretty big deal, given the fact he hadn't exactly shared much of anything with Bucky before.

So now, he really has no problem letting the man use his hand as a way of getting some relief for his injuries, and why should he? It's not like his mechanical arm feels discomfort when it comes to keeping it in a strange position; having any equivalent to cramping would make no sense.

Though he can't really pinpoint how he can tell, there's a definite difference in the way Stark's been talking to him since then. It's more like he's been talking with him instead of at him like usual. He still isn't exactly loquacious, but he's been responding noticeably more.

The mildly confused, mildly intrigued look on his face is probably the closest to amused he's gotten since... hell. Since 1945.]

The government actually got him to do this?

[His thoughts are cut off when he hears someone approach, however, and he turns his eyes towards the open door, expression not yet changing.]

[noparachute]

[As he reached his apartment, he heard the voices of Bucky and Tony coming from inside. That... was a good sign, right? They didn't sound angry and if they were talking to each other, that would be a big improvement from when he last saw them. Not only that, it would mean Bucky was safe and here still. Steve had all of the memories he needed so he could finally understand what Bucky was talking about now.

Most importantly, he hoped that he could help him more.

The words started to become clearer as he reached the door, being able to hear their conversation now. They were... talking about his USO tour? He wasn't expecting that. Steve felt himself flush a little at the description Tony gave, but he was willing to let it go if it meant they were getting along more.

Nevertheless, he opened the door and stepped inside, instantly taking in the sight of them. Okay, so they were talking and not killing each other... but they were also injured. The bandages spoke for themselves and Steve instantly looked worried.]

Care to explain? [He closed the door behind him, but Steve kept his focus on them. He also noticed how Tony was using Bucky's metal hand as a cooling pad, which was... definitely unusual. He didn't know what to say about that really.]

[ironyman]

Don't believe me? It's in his closet--dig around in there sometime, you'll see--

[The door opens then, and Tony's attention is abruptly pulled away.]

Oh. Three days, right on time.

[Were you expecting a big surprised reaction, Steve? Hopefully not, because Tony's seen you disappear and reappear once before, and he decided not to even bother worrying about you until after three days. He doesn't even stop holding the metal hand to his face. Don't you feel loved?? Anyway, he gestures with his free hand at Barnes.]

Your, ah, bestie tried to kill me. Don't worry, we figured it out. Nice haircut!

SUPER LATE BECAUSE I AM FORGETFUL /o\ . SORRY. [Video]

[alley_kit]

Hi, Steve! Did you go back home while you were asleep? You look kinda different.

[And then the part about Bucky comes up. Kit's gonna tell on you, James!]

Oh yeah. I met James while he was at Diarmuid's. We had spaghetti and pie, and then I said he could stay with me while you were gone, so we went back to my apartment for the night. But he left in middle of the night and didn't leave a note or anything! I was worried when I woke up, but then I found out he'd just gone back to you guys' apartment.

[She gives an annoyed little huff at that. Because he really couldn't take a minute to leave a note saying where he went? RUDE.]

IT'S OKAY [video]

[noparachute]

Not quite, just suddenly disappeared. And a couple years have passed for me, needed a new haircut in that time.

[Sorta trying to adapt to the modern world. He's been doing somewhat well, technology wise at least. But for a long time, he still felt lost. However, he pushes those thoughts away when Kit tells him about Bucky.]

Thank you for watching over him. [And he is really grateful, although Steve is definitely going to give Bucky a hard time about leaving Kit behind without any note. Honestly, who does that. :| Some guy.]

That's very rude, gonna tell Bucky to at least leave a young lady a note next time.

[alley_kit]

A couple years?! But... how does that even work if you were only gone from here for a few days?

[The idea of time travel has never really occurred to her, OK? Though she could understand about the lost feeling sometimes. She just shrugs off the thanks though.]

He's my friend. That's what friends do. Besides he'd been in that fight and I figured having somebody to snuggle with at night would help him him heal faster.

[Not to mention it would help her sleep easier, but that was beside the point. Mostly.]

Well, good. He needs to learn not to worry his friends like that.

[And they've already seen how well he listens to her.]

[noparachute]

Time travel of some sort. Not sure of the logistics of it myself, but it's the only explanation I can think of.

[He's honestly more worried about the erasure of his memories when he goes back, but he doesn't bring that up.]

He has a really bad habit of worrying his friends. [Steve's tone is light, even though Bucky does make him worry a lot.] Been on the end of it for a while now.