(Untitled)

[char_he_mcgee]

Comments

[ridethecyclone]

[ Ring, ring, ring, ring. It's balls o'clock in the morning and your phone is going off. ]

[ridethecyclone]

S'not me I'm worried about.

[ Flicking away the butt. ] If it were jus' me, I wouldn't give a shit, I can take what life deals out t'me, y'know? It's not - I can't. I shouldn't a-called.

[char_he_mcgee]

[She stands and holds her hand out to him.] Come on. I'm dragging you to my house and we can talk there. The bench is uncomfortable. And please just tell me what's wrong. You have nothing to worry about with me and you know it. I just don't get why you're being vague.

[ridethecyclone]

[ Curling his hand around hers, rising to his feet a little unsteady, but he's been drunker like this and made it, so there's minimal risk. ]

Yes, ma'am.

[char_he_mcgee]

[And, as habit, she walks quickly and carefully. Her apartment isn't far and thank God the snow was gone. And when she gets in, Hypnos is all for sniffing Bucky's shoes. Charlie drags Bucky to the couch and sits, pulling him to do the same.] Here. My room-mate is passed out in her room. It's pretty much just you and I now. So please just talk.

[ridethecyclone]

[ Rubbing the heel of his palm into his eyesockets when Hypnos jumps up to stare at them both, Bucky's voice going kind of flat around the edges. ]

I'm a soldier, Charlie. I don't get to choose what I talk about. And okay, sure, I'm here, it's fine, but I can't. I can't open that, 'cause sooner or later I go back and I'd have t'shut it all back up again.

[char_he_mcgee]

No one remembers being here, so what does that matter? Sure, that's a depressing thought, but why let it stop you from making the most of what you have now?

[ridethecyclone]

Do you ever jus' get the feelin' that the world hates you? That everythin' you do has to become some fuckin' joke?

[char_he_mcgee]

Is this a serious question and do you remember who you're talking to?

[ridethecyclone]

Christ. Jus' ignore me, I'm not allowed t'think.

[ Burying his face into his hands. ] Falsworth made it a rule.

[char_he_mcgee]

No. I'm not ignoring you. And I'm not letting you leave until you're sober and in a better mood. [She reaches over, wrapping both her arms around his closest one, looking up at him.] Please tell me whats wrong. Or I'm going to start thinking you don't trust me.

[ridethecyclone]

I do.

[ Leaning into her for a second. ] If I say it, I can't take it back, okay? So it's not you, it's me, and I don't wanna.

[char_he_mcgee]

If you say it, I won't judge. I won't blab. [A sigh. A pause. Another Charlie-hug.] Just remember; no matter what you say or do, nothing will stop me from considering you family.

[ridethecyclone]

I'm drunk. [ As though that's all he needs to not say anything. ] I'm drunk an' I'm stupid, an' I need t'not let all of that let it out, you're like a sister to me, kid, but there are some things y'keep even from family.

[char_he_mcgee]

You're going to have to tell someone eventually. Whatever it is, it sounds huge and will only hurt you and others if you keep it in. [She stands and hurries to her room a moment, grabbing the pillows and blankets off of her bed before returning.] Get some sleep. Don't go anywhere in the state you're in. You promise me.

[Not a question at all. It was a demand.]

[ridethecyclone]

Yeah.

[ A beat. ] Listen, can we not tell Steve about this?