[ Bucky counts three seconds, noting how eerily like the other Robin this particular motion is. Like they weren't used to kindness just because. ]
[ He leans against a small outcrop, not-so-idly watching the road for hostiles while Dick eats. There's no reason they should be there, but no reason they shouldn't, either. ]
[ The seconds pass and Dick shovels the first few bites in before he decides it's too good, it's way too good, he has to slow down and enjoy every bit. It's a secret he's kept carefully, when every bite during lockdown meant one less for Damian and Rue. Even with time to replenish the stocks he's still working up making up for days of desperate, awful hunger.
It's when he's about halfway through that he spots where Bucky's eyes are. With a guilty start he's up and back at attention, closing the gap with a few quick steps, pie still in hand. ]
[ Listening to Dick eat, he thinks of his mother worrying about their next meal, on the really bad days, and he deliberately doesn't look at the kid. It wasn't fair. He and Steve were used to it, but for kids like these - it just wasn't fair. Life wasn't, in general, but it didn't stop a fella from wanting something better. ]
[ He spots a familiar figure coming down the road, and smiles reflexively. ]
[ Fondly, ] You gonna stop worryin'? [ he waves at Steve ] Hey, bud! Over here.
[He'd seen Bucky from a ways out and had deliberately drifted closer. He's in uniform today, shield slung across his shoulders. He always moves like a soldier - it's instinct, now, an inescapable facet of his life - but his shoulders aren't so tense as normal, seeing his best friend.
Seeing the kid chow down on the pie, well. That even inspires a slight smile. He nods to Buck and the boy, but focuses on the former.]
[ Damian once thought Buck was in danger of spontaneously emitting sunlight around Steve, and the metaphor isn't inaccurate. His smile is unguarded, there's no tension in him anywhere than his usual wariness of his surroundings. ]
This is Robin. Robin, this is my CO, Captain Rogers.
[ He'd prefer to say his friend, but Damian had been more of a stickler for propriety and Bucky defaults to it now. ]
[Bucky gets a bit of a sideways look at all that formality, but ultimately extends a hand. The plate of pie isn't so big that it can't be held one-handed.]
[ That uniform. Dick sets the pie down carefully and hops to his feet with a bright grin, taking the hand to give it a firm shake. Bucky's enthusiasm is infectious. ] Good to meet you, sir.
[Steve's handshake is equally firm, but brief, and then with a nod he steps back into his own space. Bucky gives him a little bit of a shrug that he interprets as a what can you do? gesture, and Steve suppresses the urge to roll his eyes, because his best friend is a nerd.
To Dick,]
I'm glad Sergeant Barnes was able to find you. Making sure you had a piece of pie was pretty important to him.
[He's bad at small talk. Even worse at it when Bucky introduces him to people. Oop.]
[ Buck shoots him a faintly exasperated look: are you even serious that they know from many, many failed double dates. ]
Only the best for Gotham's finest. Say - how do we contact you if we need to? There's more' one with the same call sign.
[ he knows it's a sensitive topic somehow, but that might just be Damian being Damian about the others. And he doesn't really want to expose them to the network when they've taken such effort to be secretive. ]
One too many, huh? [ The loose grin only fades a touch. It's a question he doesn't really know how to answer, and it's one more he should have been ready for. ]
Actually that's a good question. Guess for now we'll have to stick with the tin can method.
[ Really though, they need a solution. Staying as insular as they are here right now isn't good for teamwork in a place like Haven. Even Batman would see that, Dick's sure.
He offers Steve a friendlier smile and points his fork at the spot beside him. Maybe he has something to say to Bucky and Dick's here holding him up. ]
You can have a seat if you want. I've gotta head out in a few anyway. [ But not before he's gotten the scoop on how these two are together (and finished his pie). ]
[Steve's mouth twitches into something that's dangerously close to a smile at Bucky's exasperation, but it's the only reaction he gets.]
Thank you, but I'll stand.
[He's not quite sure what to say on the topic of secret identities. He understands the principle of it - from everything he's heard of Gotham, the clandestine nature of their work seems necessary. But here? There population, while always in flux, isn't much more than two hundred. And although there are an awful lot of kids here, Steve doesn't think it'd take a genius to figure out which ones are likely little birds. The only reason he hasn't put too much thought into it is that he doesn't want to, they deserve their privacy.]
It wouldn't be that hard to put together short-wave radios with supplies from Haven North or East.
[He's already helping Mako with the main radio project, so--]
[ Steve almost-smiles, and Bucky answers it with a lopsided grin of his own, bumps Steve's shoulder gently. He shoots Dick a bit of a conspiratorial look. ]
[ Somewhere in Haven, Damian Wayne is suddenly annoyed without knowing why. ]
He really likes you.
[ He'd nodded to Steve as he went off, and waited until he was definitely out of earshot to confide this to Dick. He's still relaxed, and the smile has turned wistful. ]
[ Dick is still beaming a little at Steve's back, chin propped in his hands. ] I was hoping I'd get to meet him sometime. I've heard so much about him.
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...Okay, it's an apple. Apples? Did you actually make a pie?
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All yours.
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What about you? There's enough here to share.
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I had my share, don't you worry. I ain't missin' out on my Aunt Sarah's pie.
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Cause you've still got about three seconds to change your mind.
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[ He leans against a small outcrop, not-so-idly watching the road for hostiles while Dick eats. There's no reason they should be there, but no reason they shouldn't, either. ]
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It's when he's about halfway through that he spots where Bucky's eyes are. With a guilty start he's up and back at attention, closing the gap with a few quick steps, pie still in hand. ]
What'd I miss?
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[ He spots a familiar figure coming down the road, and smiles reflexively. ]
[ Fondly, ] You gonna stop worryin'? [ he waves at Steve ] Hey, bud! Over here.
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Seeing the kid chow down on the pie, well. That even inspires a slight smile. He nods to Buck and the boy, but focuses on the former.]
Sergeant. Who's your friend?
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Cap.
[ Damian once thought Buck was in danger of spontaneously emitting sunlight around Steve, and the metaphor isn't inaccurate. His smile is unguarded, there's no tension in him anywhere than his usual wariness of his surroundings. ]
This is Robin. Robin, this is my CO, Captain Rogers.
[ He'd prefer to say his friend, but Damian had been more of a stickler for propriety and Bucky defaults to it now. ]
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Call me Steve.
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[ Oh no. ]
I mean, uh- Steve.
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To Dick,]
I'm glad Sergeant Barnes was able to find you. Making sure you had a piece of pie was pretty important to him.
[He's bad at small talk. Even worse at it when Bucky introduces him to people. Oop.]
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Only the best for Gotham's finest. Say - how do we contact you if we need to? There's more' one with the same call sign.
[ he knows it's a sensitive topic somehow, but that might just be Damian being Damian about the others. And he doesn't really want to expose them to the network when they've taken such effort to be secretive. ]
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Actually that's a good question. Guess for now we'll have to stick with the tin can method.
[ Really though, they need a solution. Staying as insular as they are here right now isn't good for teamwork in a place like Haven. Even Batman would see that, Dick's sure.
He offers Steve a friendlier smile and points his fork at the spot beside him. Maybe he has something to say to Bucky and Dick's here holding him up. ]
You can have a seat if you want. I've gotta head out in a few anyway. [ But not before he's gotten the scoop on how these two are together (and finished his pie). ]
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Thank you, but I'll stand.
[He's not quite sure what to say on the topic of secret identities. He understands the principle of it - from everything he's heard of Gotham, the clandestine nature of their work seems necessary. But here? There population, while always in flux, isn't much more than two hundred. And although there are an awful lot of kids here, Steve doesn't think it'd take a genius to figure out which ones are likely little birds. The only reason he hasn't put too much thought into it is that he doesn't want to, they deserve their privacy.]
It wouldn't be that hard to put together short-wave radios with supplies from Haven North or East.
[He's already helping Mako with the main radio project, so--]
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[ Mildly, ] Or we could just learn t'yodel.
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Paper airplane chain's the way to go. We'll route it through the North. Less chance of the wrong person picking up the message that way.
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You take up yodelling, you're sleepin' on the roof.
[JUST SAYING. And Dick's comment gets a little tiny smile all its own, and a faintly approving nod.]
Couldn't hurt. Different design schematics for each Robin we're trying to contact?
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All the better t'keep an eye on ya, punk.
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Just so we're clear I've got dibs on wing scallops. Kid Robin can have nose tips.
[ That would be Damian. ]
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[A shake of his head, he's wryly amused.]
Anyway, I won't keep you guys. Buck - catch you later. Robin, it was nice meeting you.
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He really likes you.
[ He'd nodded to Steve as he went off, and waited until he was definitely out of earshot to confide this to Dick. He's still relaxed, and the smile has turned wistful. ]
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[ Dick is still beaming a little at Steve's back, chin propped in his hands. ] I was hoping I'd get to meet him sometime. I've heard so much about him.
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