you know the drill. but just in case you don't, the festive plant that hangs around, makes puppies sick, and is a good excuse for a little kissu.
1) basic. it's a christmas party. someone thought it'd be funny. oh no, here we both are. you know what that means! ha ha. we don't have to, but i'm down. jk... unless???
2) magic. some unknown force is trapping you under this plant until tonsil hockey occurs. you don't have to like it, but you do have to play. or stand there forever, see if i care!
3) extra strength. you wouldn't want to play this silly mistletoe game, usually, only for some reason you can't quite resist. what's a little kiss? and once you start, it's just like pringles... ya it is a seasonal sex pollen what do u want from me
4) wildcard. do whatever you want babes! mistletoe but it makes you big mad for some reason. everything is normal but the plant is FAKE AND GLITTERY and that's against the spirit of things. mistletoe but it is an alternate universe in the tradition is to fight instead. mistletoe but they agree to very sedate cheek kisses cuz they're just friends. chase ur bliss 💋
[ ooc; M/F 25+ for shipping (and really, prior CR be it assumed or across memes and the like would go over best here), OTA for any platonic kisses like a cheek or a forehead. Defaults to post-TFATWS (so Thunderbolts* related things are game), but down to clown with any timeline and multiverse shenanigans. Mostly looking for basic or magic options, but willing to go for extra strength if the CR is appropriate for it. Cast mates, cross-canon, etc are all welcome. ]
[ ooc; Yes, gimme (or let me give to you but later when I can write longer stuff not on my phone lmfao). Let’s do it and make it as feelsy and probably awkward as possible! ]
[ By the time December rolls around, the doctors consider her stable enough to leave her cell room. She gets the chance to do more than just lay in her bed and let her mind go round and round. Thanks to Bucky, she's been writing endlessly in journals of all the things she remembers. What she ends up with is pages of different personalities HYDRA had implanted with. Each one with their own distinct name and life and memories to fit whatever mission they'd sent her on.
On top of that, she'd confused her own life with the false memories they'd given her as The Power Broker. Everything after helping Steve and Sam get their gear had been changed. Even worse, she sometimes confuses her life with Aunt Peggy's. Most times, she doesn't even know who she is anymore. Did she want to join SHIELD because she'd genuinely wanted or because of her aunt? Did she feel something for Steve or is that just Peggy again?
Speaking of Steve, and even Sam to an extent, anything and everything Captain America fills her with a deep, instinctive repulsion and low aggression. HYDRA had made sure not to make the same mistake that they had with their Winter Soldier.
But they hadn't thought to do it for him too. She has no irrational dislike towards him which has been a godsend. James, not Bucky, not anymore, had used his experience to help her through. He's been down this path. They allow her unsupervised time with him since he's the only one that can contain her. For the holidays, they're allowing her a walk around the compound for fresh air. There's a rec room inside with food and snacks and holiday decor. It's a small treat he'd insisted on. He's always steadfastly insisted on her having normalcy as part of her healing.
Her hands are shoved in the pockets of her coat. The air is cold and crisp. It makes her nose burn. ]
Are you going to spend Christmas with Sam's family?
[ Christmas these days might not be anything like Christmas back before he ended up going off to war or even during it - trees went up sooner, had more decorations and most of 'em weren't handmade, everything was bigger and more vibrant than he was used to - but he's trying his best to see if more of her memories from her life before Hydra messed with her brain will return in seeing things that might be closer to what she's used to.
He knows she's been struggling with whether or not some of her memories are just things about her aunt Peggy, it's why when Valentina went on to have things decorated he didn't say anything about what it looked like, because if it looked closer to something he might decorate it like, then she might end up thinking of the things she remembers about her aunt instead.
He's been watching her quietly, even if he's long given up on thinking the decorations might make her think of something from the past in her jumbled up memories, so he looks down for a moment when she brings up Sam. Sam's wanted to visit her, to see how she's doing - the former Falcon felt like they owed her even before, when he thought he was trying to help her get away from a life on the run back in Madripoor and it seems that hasn't changed now - but he's kept mentions of the other man to as seldom as possible, knowing how she feels about him and Steve both. But it doesn't stop him from telling Sam any new updates when they're there. ]
I don't know yet. Christmas in Louisiana? [ His expression holds more disbelief, like he can't seem to wrap his head around it because it would be different than a Christmas in New York. ] Might be too warm, even if it doesn't end up snowing here. [ A beat, because he knows he wouldn't be able to show up empty handed to a gathering at the Wilson's. ] Sarah might try and kill me for bringing the boys video games.
[ She lets out a soft huff of amusement. There's a slight smile tugging on her lips. That's what she appreciates about him. He doesn't baby her. Not to her face anyway. She knows he's her biggest advocate, but when he's with her, he doesn't walk on eggshells or treat her like she's broken. She knows he knows from experience, but she appreciates it nonetheless. ]
What do you know about video games?
[ Her tone is amused. It's easier to latch onto those topics instead of her mismatched memories. Video games she can remember. The thought of him playing any is funny. ]
You strike me as a Tetris fan, but I think I could still kick your ass at Mario Kart.
[ Not that they'd get a chance any time soon. What concerns her the most is him celebrating the holiday alone. She doesn't want that for him. ]
You should go. You know they'd love to have you down there.
Can't say I know much. [ He shrugs a little, but feels pleased he got that huff of laughter out of her, even if it's not as unguarded as the one he'd gotten out of her long before they realized what Hydra had done to her when everyone wasn't looking. Even if he doesn't do much to really try to get those reactions, knowing he can get them means she might really be healing. People might say he doesn't have many expressions as it is, but he started to look less stone faced all the time once his brain didn't feel like a jumbled mess. He could enjoy things, even if he wasn't always outward about it. ] I remember seeing a few of 'em when I was there the last time and I know how to use the internet, alright Carter? The old man can figure things out sometimes.
[ It still doesn't mean he can play any. Or that he's tried. He thought about it, just as something to pass the time - he knows there are apps for that sort of thing and he can find some of the more popular apps easier than he lets on, even if he won't admit that - but he doesn't know if it would be all that fun for him to do alone. He goes to play games at the senior center after all. ]
If I check out video games, I'll see what Mario Kart is and have you play me when I do. [ There's a pause, because he knows she's right - she knows it too - but he's also thinking about her being alone over the holiday as well. ] I'll think about it. Maybe I wanna see what's different about Christmas around here nowadays.
[ ooc; Pay no mind behind the curtain (since I could edit this with a start later) because I’m down for a time-skip to go back to some OTHER things later… RP time is wibbly wobbly for a reason. ]
[ When Bucky reluctantly asked her if she wanted to go to an Avengers holiday party, she almost declined.
"What about your Mystery Girl? Was she not available?" She teased sarcastically, giving Bucky one of her usual playful grins.
One that faded when he appeared to hesitate. Only for a second, but it may well have been a full minute by this point in their friendship. They've gotten to know each other pretty well the past year or so since that fateful mistext.
"Nah, she had other plans. It's probably Wilson's fault."
"You really gotta stop blamin' Sam for everything." A thoughtful pause, followed by a suspicious look. "You're gonna chicken out and stay in your apartment alone like a grouchy old grandpa if I say no, aren't you?"
"Eh, maybe."
In the end, he won. Bastard.
Which explains why Anna's currently at the Avengers Compound in a glittering emerald dress that brings out her eyes, a sensible pair of heels, and light but festive make-up (courtesy of her sister, much to Anna's dismay). Her long, dark waves have a little extra curl in them and drape mostly over her right shoulder. There's a decorative hair pin on the left side to keep the side swept look in place.
She's been speaking with Dr. Strange for the past twenty minutes, equal parts fascinated and amused by his combination of sarcasm and magic, glass of wine in hand. Anna was a little surprised when she got there early, and even more so when the security AI recognized her. Though that's not too surprising in retrospect, given Stark's technology.
Occasionally, she glances around the room to look for Bucky. More and more minutes pass, and there's a growing feeling in the pit of her stomach that he might not show up. Maybe he thought she was joking about agreeing to the party?
God, it's already embarrassing enough feeling entirely overdressed as the only woman in the room at the moment. Strange notices her growing uncertainty, how distracted she is, and asks who she's waiting for. ]
Bucky. Uh, Bucky Barnes. Vibranium arm, hates robot birds and constantly looks like he wants everyone's kids to get off his lawn?
[ Bucky nearly sent a text to Anna telling her to forget about it, he was gonna stay home and not worry about the party. Then Sam told him if he backed out he was going to have Redwing follow him the whole of his next mission and make sure he caught him doing something stupid and send it to everyone, that he finally caved in. He knew what Sam meant by 'everyone' and knowing how he and Sam bicker, it might end up giving away that Anna is the Mystery Girl of his and that he's been dealing with having more of the stupid available to him on account of Steve not being around to take his share.
At least his jeans aren't dirty and the shirts he has on underneath his usual leather jacket are new. No one will be able to tell, they're dark colors like everything else he owns, but they don't have any holes in them or signs of him being in any kind of fight before the party. He'd say that for him, that's as good as it gets.
He's later than he'd like to be, he's old fashioned enough to think that if you're not on time, you're late, but he also feels a little out of place at parties to do with the Avengers. He was part of why they broke up at one point, but between Sam as Captain America and other members changing, it's feeling out of place because Sam's one of the only ones he can say he knows all that well.
When he notices it's Anna that Strange is talking to, he feels like he ought to turn back around and head back to his place, until she looks up and notices he's shown up to the party after all. It doesn't take but a minute but he's walking over to them and is about to say something to Strange, unclear on if it would be some of that dry humor or if he'd thank the guy for making sure his date - friend? - wasn't bored before he showed up, but in came Thor at the same time to pull the sorcerer away for some reason or another after a quick nod came from Sam. ]
You been here long? [ Careful, Barnes. That might sound like a line like 'You come here often?' but his eyes sweep over her a moment later, now able to look at her again, except closer this time. ] You clean up nice.
I don't suppose you have some magic way of figurin' out where he— [ And in swept Thor, stealing away Dr. Strange with a cheery apology and very generous (and charming) comment on her appearance.
Anna barely has time to register what just happened when she realizes that Bucky's standing right next to her.
You clean up nice. That's it? All these months together, everything she's told him about how to win over his Mystery Girl, and that's what he goes with? A twinge of disappointment makes it past her carefully-crafted facade and she recovers rapidly by raising her wine glass to her lips and taking a casual glance around the room. ]
Almost an hour. Figured you weren't gonna show up. No messages, no explanation, Sam didn't know what's taken you so long. [ It's hard to hide the way she begins to wilt, but the fact that her tone is more dry than usual helps. Who needs stupid things like feelings, anyway?
When Bucky asked her to come to the party, she started to think that maybe he was over trying to win the heart of that Mystery Girl. Maybe he had feelings for her instead. She could finally be more than just a friend, be honest about the fact that she's kind of been falling in love. Anna takes a long sip of her wine and pulls her lips into a tight smile. ]
I seem to remember something about it being a more formal occasion... apparently I was misinformed, and now here I am, lookin' like an idiot. This is great. Just... fantastic.
I was havin' a hard time trying to figure out what to wear. I nearly cancelled comin' altogether when I couldn't find anything that matched. [ It's his usual deadpan delivery, the snarky way he pokes fun at his own hangups when it came to trying to figure out how to look coming to a thing like this. He doesn't dress up, not unless he has to for a mission and it's rare that he does. He had to put on a damn suit about two months ago and he hated every minute of it. It's not like people around here expect much out of him, they're probably surprised he even showed up at all and doesn't have someone looking to follow in after him and arrest him.
He does have it in him to look a little bashful after that, in noticing that some of the other people - he gives a quick look around, taking note of the Avengers and the other Avengers-adjacent people who were around - did look like they weren't so casually dressed as he is, even if they're not as dressed up as Anna is either. His eyes sweep over her again, it's hard not to when he's never seen her like this and there's a moment where his forehead creases in confusion when she calls herself an idiot. ]
You look good, Morasca. No one's thinking you look like an idiot. They're probably wondering if the reason I'm late is because I got in a dust up I don't wanna talk about.
[ ooc; MAGIC OPTION FOR THE WIN. Listen, aliens and Gods regularly hangout in their world, someone just left some magical mistletoe around and now they gotta smooch or they’re stuck there until someone takes pity on them to move it lmfao. ]
Yelena is a big fan of American Christmas, all the lights and the Santa stories, not to mention the presents. But also just all the decorations that go into it, it’s a total event and it lasts so much longer than that single day. More than a month, really.
Christmas has already started peek up around the city, and even inside the tower Val has locked their team away in— okay, they are not damsels in a princess tower but sometimes it feels like it a little bit. Tinsel and mistletoe in doorways, lights. No tree yet, that probably won’t happen until Thanksgiving is over. But the rest is looking nice so far and Yelena is enamoured already.
“Don’t you love it?” She asks no one in particular, looking at the large living space all decked out.
Bucky's last real memories of Christmas are sometime during the war and war time Christmas memories don't look anything like the ones he knows he had with his family and Steve before he shipped off and they also don't look anything like the memories he had since getting free of Hydra. For the first time in a long time, he's around the Christmas decorations - even if it's just the start. While they had to stretch their dollars back in the 1930s and early 1940s, he knows someone like Valentina wouldn't stop at what's up already - she'll have the biggest tree brought in ( he won't put it past her to try and get him, Shostakov and Walker to carry it in ) and have it set up no differently than what's already up.
He'll be able to live with it if she manages to avoid playing music throughout the tower and Christmas becomes inescapable even in some of the lesser used rooms. He knows once he thinks that, that he'll be looking for some ear plugs by the beginning of December.
It's Yelena's voice that pulls him from his thoughts, wondering if it's worth it to take some of it down, chuck it in a box and see if he can hide it for a while or if more decorations would end up there in their place. He's glancing at her slowly, his head tilted just slightly to show his attention is on her and not the decorations she's talking about. Instead of his expression remaining its usual unreadable mask, it shifts just enough to show his response is in the negative when it comes to loving the decorations.
"It's a little excessive...." he starts, likely sounding as if he's about to start yelling at the sky about it. "It's not even December."
Re: 🎵 it's beginning to look a lot like christmas 🎵
“Isn’t it close enough to be okay now?” Were there unspoken rules she didn’t know about the perfect timing of Christmas? He would know, she supposes, he’s almost as old as baby Jesus himself.
"Now? No." He's scoffing after he says it, even if he didn't bother much with being part of the world once he was able to - being on the run would do that - in more recent times he's been made aware that things aren't done the same way as he's used to from before. "We'd get a tree a few days to right before Christmas and we'd decorate it then. They didn't put up the tree in Rockefeller the first time until Christmas Eve." He's grumbling more about it now, as he thinks about how it seems people can't think about or celebrate one holiday before they're onto the next. "Thanksgiving hasn't even happened yet."
That's the part that boggles him the most about it, but maybe it was this bad back when he was growing up and beyond, before everything changed for him. He supposes he might have a certain outlook on it - the memories are fonder, even if times weren't all that great but he hadn't gone through everything he would eventually go through back then - but it's not like how he feels is going to change anyone's minds and make them decide to take all the decorations down.
"Why don't people wanna celebrate one thing at a time these days?"
[ Steph had hoped to be planetside for the holidays, but Carol had called for backup, and she was much closer to the rendezvous point than Thor or Rocket and his team. So she figured she'd invite Bucky along; she could use a co-pilot anyway, and it had been a while since they'd caught up.
She also figured she'd decorate the ship's main area (which was a galley, cargo hold and sleeping quarters rolled into one, since hers isn't a particularly large ship) to get into the spirit of things — and to fend off boredom while they're cruising through the vastness of space. She's brought a box of garlands, wreaths, ornaments, and even lights, and she's stringing them along the railing of the top bunk while he's lounging with a book in the bottom. She nudges him with her foot. Soft Christmas music plays from the speakers, off an "oldies mix" on her phone's music app. ]
You gonna help or what? Last I checked you weren't a Grinch.
[ It had been nice to play catch up, but after that initial conversation and as Christmas began to approach, it felt a little more awkward. Christmas was a holiday he knows Steph has always liked - she might go as far to claim there's not one she doesn't like, but he knows it's one she's always enjoyed. He doesn't know how people keep track of the days in space - unless that's the point, losing track of them the same way they managed to lose decades of their lives - but he thinks he should've had more time to prepare for this than what feels like a few days.
He feels like he's come on her ship empty handed and while he might feel inclined to give a smart response about how his presence on her ship is the present, he doesn't know how well that'll go over. They haven't been alone like this together in a while, they've usually had something getting in the way - being on the run, a battle or him going deep into cryosleep before spending time away from her and everyone else as he gets his mind right - and without others around as a buffer and with limited space to go, it's hard not to wonder if things might get a little awkward since this is the first time they've spent any time together just the two of them since the goddamn war.
The book slips down to rest pages down along his chest to keep his place - he knows better than to dog ear a page - so he's giving her his full attention instead of the half attention he'd been giving each time she moved with something new in her hands and what sounded to him like exaggerated huffing and puffing for someone with the same - if not better - serum running through her veins as his. ]
Didn't know you got to Dr. Seuss books in your time getting caught up on what you missed, Rogers. [ The hint of a smirk he pulls as he says it, it's clear that since he knew the reference, it's something that caught his attention as well and if he thinks about it enough, she might have gotten him to watch one of the movies based on one of his stories, but it wasn't the Grinch. ] I was gonna let you have all the Christmas spirit here for the both of us, the way this ships starting to look.
[ She doesn't really need the help, but she had begun to wonder if something was wrong. Maybe he's feeling queasy, with it being his first time in space and all. Or, worse, maybe he's feeling trapped? It's a small ship, and he's stuck with her. They haven't really been alone together in a long, long time.
She plays it off as anything but worry, though. Hence the teasing. ]
I saw the films. [ When he still doesn't budge, she moves to sit next to where he's lying, pretending to tug at his arm. ] Come on, soldier, on your feet. This ship ain't gonna decorate itself.
[ Once he finally gets up, she'll playfully throw a shiny (and itchy) tinsel garland around his neck and shoulders before she does the same and breaks out into a silly dance. ]
[ There's an air of suspicion about him when it comes to her worry - he doesn't know what he did to make her worry and it doesn't sit right with him, especially with them sharing such close quarters like this - but he doesn't say anything. Why would he? They don't talk about this kind of thing. He pretends to be oblivious to it and then chooses to ignore it and since it's not something that's gonna give her a real fight, she'll eventually let it go.
He's making a face at the itchy garland as it slides against his skin, a groan following a moment later because he should've been faster to try and dodge it, to wave it away or let her get tangled up in it, but it's making her happy - the dance she's doing is making him happy as well, even if he doesn't follow in the same moves, just laughs - and he knows he can't remember the last time he saw her like this. It's gotta be ages ago, probably before the war and everything, with how much she puts on her shoulders even in "retirement". ]
Alright, alright. [ He's not even moving the garland from around his neck, he's letting it hang there loosely - but pauses to make sure his book is placed neatly on the bunk - before gesturing to the box and the lights she'd been stringing just moments ago, so he can figure out his first task. He's grabbing up what he thinks is just the simple wreaths and other tree-similar items in the box, since he may as well start hanging those in available spots before working them into the lights she'd been putting on the bunk. ] How much of this do you want decorated anyway? It's gonna get in the way if we put too much of it up and we need to get anywhere quick.
Everything. [ She gives him an incredulous look. Why is that even a question? ] Remember how we used to have to make do with my ugly paper garlands? Now we at least have proper decorations. I was gonna get a tree, but I couldn't find one that's small enough.
[ She likes that laugh. She's missed it. She's missed him, and she's thankful that he agreed to come — even if this must be awkward. He could've wanted to remain planetside; she knows he enjoys spending time with the Wilsons. Heck, Sam had grumbled enough that she's started to wonder if there's any truth to Bucky being interested in Sarah. Yet he's here because Steph asked. Hadn't she asked enough of him by now?
The thought is sobering, and she grows quiet as she finds a spot to hang the tinsel garland that had been around her neck. ]
We'll be back before New Year's, don't worry. You'll still have time to visit Sam.
Who said I was looking to visit Wilson before the New Year? [ There's a hint of wryness in his tone and expression, acting like he doesn't have any plans of gracing the Wilsons with his mug before the end of the year. He visits when he can, doesn't drop in unannounced and always makes sure he has something to hand the boys when he gets there, but it doesn't mean he plans on spending a holiday with them. These are the first ones he's really celebrating in a long time and he feels out of sorts with it and it was part of why he jumped at the chance to be here in space with Steph.
It means he isn't holed up in his apartment, alone on Christmas and New Year's, thinking about dead friends and family or how he's apart from the few people he cares about that matter. Being with Steph, it means he's got a small connection to it all, even if he doesn't know how he fits into her life anymore now that she's retired. ] I'm just wondering how you think all of this box is gonna fit around this ship of yours.
[ He stops her when he notices something - it's a piece of tinsel that came off the tinsel garland when she moved it from around her neck and is now in her hair. The shine of it, even if it's just a piece, it catches his attention enough that he's pausing in his own actions - with what he thinks is a wreath in his hand hovering along the top bunk, it cutting her off from moving for a moment - that his other hand is reaching to pull the piece out of her hair. The motion of his fingers of his flesh hand sliding along her hair to get it, it's entirely unnecessary but it's an action that he can't stop himself from doing the moment it starts. ]
I didn't think you were trying to decorate yourself, unless that's how you're trying to get through everything, having us wear some of these decorations instead.
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bakerstreet2024-11-24 09:34 am
bucky barnes | mcu | m/f ship, ota gen
sorry not sorry
sorry? what’s that? we don’t know that word
have it all
cellroom. She gets the chance to do more than just lay in her bed and let her mind go round and round. Thanks to Bucky, she's been writing endlessly in journals of all the things she remembers. What she ends up with is pages of different personalities HYDRA had implanted with. Each one with their own distinct name and life and memories to fit whatever mission they'd sent her on.On top of that, she'd confused her own life with the false memories they'd given her as The Power Broker. Everything after helping Steve and Sam get their gear had been changed. Even worse, she sometimes confuses her life with Aunt Peggy's. Most times, she doesn't even know who she is anymore. Did she want to join SHIELD because she'd genuinely wanted or because of her aunt? Did she feel something for Steve or is that just Peggy again?
Speaking of Steve, and even Sam to an extent, anything and everything Captain America fills her with a deep, instinctive repulsion and low aggression. HYDRA had made sure not to make the same mistake that they had with their Winter Soldier.
But they hadn't thought to do it for him too. She has no irrational dislike towards him which has been a godsend. James, not Bucky, not anymore, had used his experience to help her through. He's been down this path. They allow her unsupervised time with him since he's the only one that can contain her. For the holidays, they're allowing her a walk around the compound for fresh air. There's a rec room inside with food and snacks and holiday decor. It's a small treat he'd insisted on. He's always steadfastly insisted on her having normalcy as part of her healing.
Her hands are shoved in the pockets of her coat. The air is cold and crisp. It makes her nose burn. ]
Are you going to spend Christmas with Sam's family?
🎵 joy to the world 🎵
He knows she's been struggling with whether or not some of her memories are just things about her aunt Peggy, it's why when Valentina went on to have things decorated he didn't say anything about what it looked like, because if it looked closer to something he might decorate it like, then she might end up thinking of the things she remembers about her aunt instead.
He's been watching her quietly, even if he's long given up on thinking the decorations might make her think of something from the past in her jumbled up memories, so he looks down for a moment when she brings up Sam. Sam's wanted to visit her, to see how she's doing - the former Falcon felt like they owed her even before, when he thought he was trying to help her get away from a life on the run back in Madripoor and it seems that hasn't changed now - but he's kept mentions of the other man to as seldom as possible, knowing how she feels about him and Steve both. But it doesn't stop him from telling Sam any new updates when they're there. ]
I don't know yet. Christmas in Louisiana? [ His expression holds more disbelief, like he can't seem to wrap his head around it because it would be different than a Christmas in New York. ] Might be too warm, even if it doesn't end up snowing here. [ A beat, because he knows he wouldn't be able to show up empty handed to a gathering at the Wilson's. ] Sarah might try and kill me for bringing the boys video games.
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What do you know about video games?
[ Her tone is amused. It's easier to latch onto those topics instead of her mismatched memories. Video games she can remember. The thought of him playing any is funny. ]
You strike me as a Tetris fan, but I think I could still kick your ass at Mario Kart.
[ Not that they'd get a chance any time soon. What concerns her the most is him celebrating the holiday alone. She doesn't want that for him. ]
You should go. You know they'd love to have you down there.
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[ It still doesn't mean he can play any. Or that he's tried. He thought about it, just as something to pass the time - he knows there are apps for that sort of thing and he can find some of the more popular apps easier than he lets on, even if he won't admit that - but he doesn't know if it would be all that fun for him to do alone. He goes to play games at the senior center after all. ]
If I check out video games, I'll see what Mario Kart is and have you play me when I do. [ There's a pause, because he knows she's right - she knows it too - but he's also thinking about her being alone over the holiday as well. ] I'll think about it. Maybe I wanna see what's different about Christmas around here nowadays.
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👀
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oops, I wrote a starter for later
"What about your Mystery Girl? Was she not available?" She teased sarcastically, giving Bucky one of her usual playful grins.
One that faded when he appeared to hesitate. Only for a second, but it may well have been a full minute by this point in their friendship. They've gotten to know each other pretty well the past year or so since that fateful mistext.
"Nah, she had other plans. It's probably Wilson's fault."
"You really gotta stop blamin' Sam for everything." A thoughtful pause, followed by a suspicious look. "You're gonna chicken out and stay in your apartment alone like a grouchy old grandpa if I say no, aren't you?"
"Eh, maybe."
In the end, he won. Bastard.
Which explains why Anna's currently at the Avengers Compound in a glittering emerald dress that brings out her eyes, a sensible pair of heels, and light but festive make-up (courtesy of her sister, much to Anna's dismay). Her long, dark waves have a little extra curl in them and drape mostly over her right shoulder. There's a decorative hair pin on the left side to keep the side swept look in place.
She's been speaking with Dr. Strange for the past twenty minutes, equal parts fascinated and amused by his combination of sarcasm and magic, glass of wine in hand. Anna was a little surprised when she got there early, and even more so when the security AI recognized her. Though that's not too surprising in retrospect, given Stark's technology.
Occasionally, she glances around the room to look for Bucky. More and more minutes pass, and there's a growing feeling in the pit of her stomach that he might not show up. Maybe he thought she was joking about agreeing to the party?
God, it's already embarrassing enough feeling entirely overdressed as the only woman in the room at the moment. Strange notices her growing uncertainty, how distracted she is, and asks who she's waiting for. ]
Bucky. Uh, Bucky Barnes. Vibranium arm, hates robot birds and constantly looks like he wants everyone's kids to get off his lawn?
🎵 rockin' around the christmas tree 🎵
At least his jeans aren't dirty and the shirts he has on underneath his usual leather jacket are new. No one will be able to tell, they're dark colors like everything else he owns, but they don't have any holes in them or signs of him being in any kind of fight before the party. He'd say that for him, that's as good as it gets.
He's later than he'd like to be, he's old fashioned enough to think that if you're not on time, you're late, but he also feels a little out of place at parties to do with the Avengers. He was part of why they broke up at one point, but between Sam as Captain America and other members changing, it's feeling out of place because Sam's one of the only ones he can say he knows all that well.
When he notices it's Anna that Strange is talking to, he feels like he ought to turn back around and head back to his place, until she looks up and notices he's shown up to the party after all. It doesn't take but a minute but he's walking over to them and is about to say something to Strange, unclear on if it would be some of that dry humor or if he'd thank the guy for making sure his date - friend? - wasn't bored before he showed up, but in came Thor at the same time to pull the sorcerer away for some reason or another after a quick nod came from Sam. ]
You been here long? [ Careful, Barnes. That might sound like a line like 'You come here often?' but his eyes sweep over her a moment later, now able to look at her again, except closer this time. ] You clean up nice.
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Anna barely has time to register what just happened when she realizes that Bucky's standing right next to her.
You clean up nice. That's it? All these months together, everything she's told him about how to win over his Mystery Girl, and that's what he goes with? A twinge of disappointment makes it past her carefully-crafted facade and she recovers rapidly by raising her wine glass to her lips and taking a casual glance around the room. ]
Almost an hour. Figured you weren't gonna show up. No messages, no explanation, Sam didn't know what's taken you so long. [ It's hard to hide the way she begins to wilt, but the fact that her tone is more dry than usual helps. Who needs stupid things like feelings, anyway?
When Bucky asked her to come to the party, she started to think that maybe he was over trying to win the heart of that Mystery Girl. Maybe he had feelings for her instead. She could finally be more than just a friend, be honest about the fact that she's kind of been falling in love. Anna takes a long sip of her wine and pulls her lips into a tight smile. ]
I seem to remember something about it being a more formal occasion... apparently I was misinformed, and now here I am, lookin' like an idiot. This is great. Just... fantastic.
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He does have it in him to look a little bashful after that, in noticing that some of the other people - he gives a quick look around, taking note of the Avengers and the other Avengers-adjacent people who were around - did look like they weren't so casually dressed as he is, even if they're not as dressed up as Anna is either. His eyes sweep over her again, it's hard not to when he's never seen her like this and there's a moment where his forehead creases in confusion when she calls herself an idiot. ]
You look good, Morasca. No one's thinking you look like an idiot. They're probably wondering if the reason I'm late is because I got in a dust up I don't wanna talk about.
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that moment when i only have like three coupley icons lmfao
I mean, I think I have 4? So, that's fair lol
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Christmas has already started peek up around the city, and even inside the tower Val has locked their team away in— okay, they are not damsels in a princess tower but sometimes it feels like it a little bit. Tinsel and mistletoe in doorways, lights. No tree yet, that probably won’t happen until Thanksgiving is over. But the rest is looking nice so far and Yelena is enamoured already.
“Don’t you love it?” She asks no one in particular, looking at the large living space all decked out.
🎵 it's beginning to look a lot like christmas 🎵
He'll be able to live with it if she manages to avoid playing music throughout the tower and Christmas becomes inescapable even in some of the lesser used rooms. He knows once he thinks that, that he'll be looking for some ear plugs by the beginning of December.
It's Yelena's voice that pulls him from his thoughts, wondering if it's worth it to take some of it down, chuck it in a box and see if he can hide it for a while or if more decorations would end up there in their place. He's glancing at her slowly, his head tilted just slightly to show his attention is on her and not the decorations she's talking about. Instead of his expression remaining its usual unreadable mask, it shifts just enough to show his response is in the negative when it comes to loving the decorations.
"It's a little excessive...." he starts, likely sounding as if he's about to start yelling at the sky about it. "It's not even December."
Re: 🎵 it's beginning to look a lot like christmas 🎵
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That's the part that boggles him the most about it, but maybe it was this bad back when he was growing up and beyond, before everything changed for him. He supposes he might have a certain outlook on it - the memories are fonder, even if times weren't all that great but he hadn't gone through everything he would eventually go through back then - but it's not like how he feels is going to change anyone's minds and make them decide to take all the decorations down.
"Why don't people wanna celebrate one thing at a time these days?"
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guess it's time for space mistletoe shenanigans 😌
She also figured she'd decorate the ship's main area (which was a galley, cargo hold and sleeping quarters rolled into one, since hers isn't a particularly large ship) to get into the spirit of things — and to fend off boredom while they're cruising through the vastness of space. She's brought a box of garlands, wreaths, ornaments, and even lights, and she's stringing them along the railing of the top bunk while he's lounging with a book in the bottom. She nudges him with her foot. Soft Christmas music plays from the speakers, off an "oldies mix" on her phone's music app. ]
You gonna help or what? Last I checked you weren't a Grinch.
🎵 santa baby 🎵
He feels like he's come on her ship empty handed and while he might feel inclined to give a smart response about how his presence on her ship is the present, he doesn't know how well that'll go over. They haven't been alone like this together in a while, they've usually had something getting in the way - being on the run, a battle or him going deep into cryosleep before spending time away from her and everyone else as he gets his mind right - and without others around as a buffer and with limited space to go, it's hard not to wonder if things might get a little awkward since this is the first time they've spent any time together just the two of them since the goddamn war.
The book slips down to rest pages down along his chest to keep his place - he knows better than to dog ear a page - so he's giving her his full attention instead of the half attention he'd been giving each time she moved with something new in her hands and what sounded to him like exaggerated huffing and puffing for someone with the same - if not better - serum running through her veins as his. ]
Didn't know you got to Dr. Seuss books in your time getting caught up on what you missed, Rogers. [ The hint of a smirk he pulls as he says it, it's clear that since he knew the reference, it's something that caught his attention as well and if he thinks about it enough, she might have gotten him to watch one of the movies based on one of his stories, but it wasn't the Grinch. ] I was gonna let you have all the Christmas spirit here for the both of us, the way this ships starting to look.
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She plays it off as anything but worry, though. Hence the teasing. ]
I saw the films. [ When he still doesn't budge, she moves to sit next to where he's lying, pretending to tug at his arm. ] Come on, soldier, on your feet. This ship ain't gonna decorate itself.
[ Once he finally gets up, she'll playfully throw a shiny (and itchy) tinsel garland around his neck and shoulders before she does the same and breaks out into a silly dance. ]
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He's making a face at the itchy garland as it slides against his skin, a groan following a moment later because he should've been faster to try and dodge it, to wave it away or let her get tangled up in it, but it's making her happy - the dance she's doing is making him happy as well, even if he doesn't follow in the same moves, just laughs - and he knows he can't remember the last time he saw her like this. It's gotta be ages ago, probably before the war and everything, with how much she puts on her shoulders even in "retirement". ]
Alright, alright. [ He's not even moving the garland from around his neck, he's letting it hang there loosely - but pauses to make sure his book is placed neatly on the bunk - before gesturing to the box and the lights she'd been stringing just moments ago, so he can figure out his first task. He's grabbing up what he thinks is just the simple wreaths and other tree-similar items in the box, since he may as well start hanging those in available spots before working them into the lights she'd been putting on the bunk. ] How much of this do you want decorated anyway? It's gonna get in the way if we put too much of it up and we need to get anywhere quick.
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[ She likes that laugh. She's missed it. She's missed him, and she's thankful that he agreed to come — even if this must be awkward. He could've wanted to remain planetside; she knows he enjoys spending time with the Wilsons. Heck, Sam had grumbled enough that she's started to wonder if there's any truth to Bucky being interested in Sarah. Yet he's here because Steph asked. Hadn't she asked enough of him by now?
The thought is sobering, and she grows quiet as she finds a spot to hang the tinsel garland that had been around her neck. ]
We'll be back before New Year's, don't worry. You'll still have time to visit Sam.
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It means he isn't holed up in his apartment, alone on Christmas and New Year's, thinking about dead friends and family or how he's apart from the few people he cares about that matter. Being with Steph, it means he's got a small connection to it all, even if he doesn't know how he fits into her life anymore now that she's retired. ] I'm just wondering how you think all of this box is gonna fit around this ship of yours.
[ He stops her when he notices something - it's a piece of tinsel that came off the tinsel garland when she moved it from around her neck and is now in her hair. The shine of it, even if it's just a piece, it catches his attention enough that he's pausing in his own actions - with what he thinks is a wreath in his hand hovering along the top bunk, it cutting her off from moving for a moment - that his other hand is reaching to pull the piece out of her hair. The motion of his fingers of his flesh hand sliding along her hair to get it, it's entirely unnecessary but it's an action that he can't stop himself from doing the moment it starts. ]
I didn't think you were trying to decorate yourself, unless that's how you're trying to get through everything, having us wear some of these decorations instead.