[ Pretty close as it turns out. Bucky pauses briefly, head cocked to the side listening for the soft footsteps and a heartbeat, but eventually decides not to call out into the darkness. Instead, the humming turns to soft singing, as he moves on, setting up a sturdy stand for the rifle. ]
[ It's when the head tilts that he knows he's been made. But that's a good thing for his purposes. He knows better than to surprise someone (friendly) with a weapon without telegraphing.
And without missing a beat he'll lunge for Bucky's neck, aiming for a full-on tackle. ]
[ Bucky's built like a mountain; one day (one day) he'll be big enough to bowl him over. His nose crinkles at the hand in his hair; a smile pretending to be a scowl. He doesn't move away just yet. ]
Now there's a good question. [ One to keep close to the vest until he's sure just where the cards are. He can't quite keep the grin off his face. ]
[ It's really all he'd wanted (hoped, mostly expected) to hear. He tucks it lovingly away again, still glowing a little. ]
Well, I wouldn't be a professional if I didn't cover my bases.
[ That someone thought enough of him is the real gift. That he hadn't known there was someone who would is a thought he can bury beneath the light, teasing tone. ]
Told ya y'were a smart kid. [ he bumps Dick's shoulder with his own, playfully ] I hope this don't mean a treasure hunt next time, I ain't too good at puzzles.
Nah. O’Toole’s is the malt shop. But we get the circus too. Couple times a year now. [ Less with Haly’s coming around less often. It’s an ache that should have faded by now more than it has.
And Bucky’s been away at war. Maybe away for years. ]
I haven't been in a while. [ He admits it, a little more subdued. ]
[ Something like surprise shows around his eyes, caught by the edges of the mask. It’s gone a moment later while he turns the question over again. Wondering if it means more than Bucky (probably) meant it to. If Bucky guessed the truth, from probably a dozen things he hasn't hid well enough. What it would mean if he did.
It occurs to him then that he knows the answer already. Bucky would keep it, that part of the secret and every other part if Dick asked him to. He would guard it with his life. ]
...You could say that. [ His shoulders ease again. It’s an admission, or it isn’t. ] But it's not the only thing.
[ His head tilts again, curious. ] What do you miss?
[ Bucky rests his (flesh) arm around his shoulders. It's an accidental motion, mulling over Dick's statement. It's an admission all right, unsubtle. Dick's (only a little) better at this than Damian is, if differently fragile. He could lie or deflect - and by virtue of Dick's own trust he'd probably get away with it, since it's hardly like the kid would expect him to tell the absolute truth, and if caught probably forgive him for keeping his grief private. ]
[ But there's only memory when you're dead and gone, and while his body survives the torment of the Winter Soldier his mind doesn't. All that's left is going to be what people remember about him, this him. He kept enough secrets from Steve, even if they're all in audio files on Sam's phone as a fallback for some unknown future. But he can't put that burden on Steve's shoulders alone. He carries enough. ]
A lotta things. I used to help my sisters, doin' their hair before school. Becky - she cut hers short before I shipped out but before that she had [ gesturing ] it long enough to do braids. She always complained I never knew how to put her hairpins where she liked 'em. [ an amused noise ] I never thought you could long for somethin' like that. You can have someone [ Steve ] right in front of ya and still miss 'em. Funny old world ain't it?
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And without missing a beat he'll lunge for Bucky's neck, aiming for a full-on tackle. ]
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[ He laughs as the small hurricane of red, green, and yellow connects, and ruffles Dick's hair fondly, grinning at him brightly. ]
Where'd you come from?
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Now there's a good question. [ One to keep close to the vest until he's sure just where the cards are. He can't quite keep the grin off his face. ]
I think you dropped something, pal.
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[ He sits shoulder to shoulder with Dick, the smile hasn't dimmed at all. ]
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But I thought you'd be up for a good mystery anyway.
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Yeah? Seems like there ain't one here.
[ Dick obviously likes it, which is all Bucky needs. ]
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Well, I wouldn't be a professional if I didn't cover my bases.
[ That someone thought enough of him is the real gift. That he hadn't known there was someone who would is a thought he can bury beneath the light, teasing tone. ]
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Told ya y'were a smart kid. [ he bumps Dick's shoulder with his own, playfully ] I hope this don't mean a treasure hunt next time, I ain't too good at puzzles.
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So. [ It's a question of great gravity. ] Somebody knows the Beatles.
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Somebody might.
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...Wish I had my walkman. We could've listened to the whole White Album.
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The White album huh? Guess I'm puttin' that on the list. What else have ya got for an old-timer?
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Jimi Hendrix. And the Clash are pretty good. But that's mostly the earlier stuff.
Oh, and you've gotta listen to the Rolling Stones. You can't really know the Beatles until you've heard the Stones. They're sorta arch-enemies.
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Boy, have I got my hands full.
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Must sound pretty crazy, huh?
Hearing about it all before you get there.
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[ He very nearly unconsciously mirrors Dick's body language, switches at the last minute to neutral. ]
Hear the food's better too.
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Well, it depends on where the food is. Gotham's usually pretty good. Nobody does ice cream like O'Toole's.
If you ever do get to visit [ Somehow across the inter-dimensional barrier ] that's gotta be number one.
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Yeah? Ice cream and the circus? Fella might get ideas as to your intentions, kid.
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Nah. O’Toole’s is the malt shop. But we get the circus too. Couple times a year now. [ Less with Haly’s coming around less often. It’s an ache that should have faded by now more than it has.
And Bucky’s been away at war. Maybe away for years. ]
I haven't been in a while. [ He admits it, a little more subdued. ]
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[ Soft, ] You miss it, huh?
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It occurs to him then that he knows the answer already. Bucky would keep it, that part of the secret and every other part if Dick asked him to. He would guard it with his life. ]
...You could say that. [ His shoulders ease again. It’s an admission, or it isn’t. ] But it's not the only thing.
[ His head tilts again, curious. ] What do you miss?
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[ But there's only memory when you're dead and gone, and while his body survives the torment of the Winter Soldier his mind doesn't. All that's left is going to be what people remember about him, this him. He kept enough secrets from Steve, even if they're all in audio files on Sam's phone as a fallback for some unknown future. But he can't put that burden on Steve's shoulders alone. He carries enough. ]
A lotta things. I used to help my sisters, doin' their hair before school. Becky - she cut hers short before I shipped out but before that she had [ gesturing ] it long enough to do braids. She always complained I never knew how to put her hairpins where she liked 'em. [ an amused noise ] I never thought you could long for somethin' like that. You can have someone [ Steve ] right in front of ya and still miss 'em. Funny old world ain't it?
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