worthallthis | The Last Voyages: IC Inbox

Steve smiles wryly at that; yeah, he gets that, even if it's not something he wants to hear. He's not surprised. And he won't belittle it.

And at least that's a question he can answer. "Yeah. I do." He's not entirely surprised Natasha managed to get access to it, either. Not that there's much in there she doesn't know, either. "I've seen mine. It's... honestly like a mission report," he says, trying to put it into familiar terms. "Just a straightforward account of what's happened to you, what you've done. No bias, no justification, not what you were or weren't thinking. Just facts. Like a history book."

"Mission reports." That doesn't really make him feel a lot better. He's pretty sure he was on a lot of shitty missions, if the culmination of them was the one where he had to kill Captain America.

And if it's more than just missions. If it's... before. He bows his head to grind his palms into his eyes. "I should clean up. She's going to be looking for me. Probably."

Steve had been maybe hoping that would help more that it seems to have; not that he's sorry he told the truth, but he still wishes Bucky looked a little more relieved. Sure, he was on a lot of shitty missions. But he hadn't chosen any of them.

He hums by way of acknowledgement, since Bucky's got his face in his hands. "Do you want to use Lark's shower? It's more private. I can take Libby for a walk. Leave a note on the door for Lark to keep out for a bit."

He's half expecting the offer to be turned down, but he still can't help but make it.

Are you kidding? Having somewhere private to deal with a shower? (Maybe even a bath which will spoil him for showers forever?) He is jumping on that. "Yes. Let me. Get clean clothes."

(He can definitely take a bath if that's what he prefers.)

Steve can't deny the wash of relief at being able to do something, however small, for Bucky. "Okay. Just come on up with 'em. I'll get Libby ready to go and make sure Lark's cleared out if he's back."

A bath will be an absolute joy, Rogers. He will be grumpy at ever having to use a shower again. He pushes up from the wall wearily. "As long as he doesn't come in the bathroom. I don't really care what Lark does. Or you and Libby." It's not like he's not pretty familiar with having people around.

Well, weirdly enough, you know a guy with access to a tub who'd be happy to let you use it whenever you want.

He twitches one shoulder up in a shrug, starts heading for the door so he can be the one to pull it open. "Sure, whichever. I mean, Libby's always happy to go for a walk and Lark's not even home that much anyway. But I'll make sure you don't get walked in on, either way. You can take your time. Plenty of hot water." Which is a thing he'll secretly maybe never be over.

That requires asking, Rogers.

He does follow him out, though, with a simple, tired: "Thanks. For this, too." Guy's been solid, despite everything, and this was a good idea.

Well. Maybe Steve will just have to do the asking, then. Do you want to take a bath isn't a hard phrase to get out.

Still, he offers Bucky a smile at that, even if it's still tinged with guilt. He knows it hadn't fixed anything, but nothing can, really. "Sure, pal. I hope it helped. Always worked better for me than the alternatives, at least."

The Last Voyages: IC Inbox

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