Not-an-OOM: Bucky

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Once they're back inside, Steve drops onto a stool at the bar and says, "Coffee, please. Irish it up."

A large cup appears on the bar top. Steve's hands are steady when he picks it up.

He's grateful for that.


He has a sip, then says quietly, "So what the hell was that?"

Comments

[nerves_of_ice]

"Maybe it is, given all the places people come in from."

He shrugs.

"Or maybe it just doesn't matter, because everyone here's out of their own time."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Or time doesn't exist," Steve says. "Just our perception of it.

"Where's your room?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"This way."

Bucky indicates the corridor to the right with a nod, and leads the way down it.

His hand drifts absently to his sidearm as they draw near the door, and brushes over it before he pulls the key from his pocket instead.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve notes the gesture, but doesn't remark on it.

[nerves_of_ice]

It doesn't take long to unlock the deadbolt and open the door. He gives the room a quick scan, and relaxes slightly on not seeing anything untoward.

Bucky flips the light on and pushes the door wide.

"Home sweet home," he says. "It's simple, but it gets the job done."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve takes off his shield and jacket, but leaves the pistol strapped to his thigh. "Not bad."

Orpheus's room is prettier. And homier.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Seen worse, anyway."

He's moved the furniture a little; enough so that the armchair in the corner by the reading lamp has a view of the single window, the hallway door, and the bathroom door.

The closet door's been latched shut with an extra bootlace; the few things Bucky'd brought with him have been put away in the dresser against the side wall.

The bed itself has been dragged so that it backs up against the far wall, so that all a sleeper has to do is open his eyes to see the whole room. It's there that Bucky goes, hanging his rifle from the post on the headboard and sitting down to unfasten his boots.

"I don't have a real sketchpad. I've got a notebook around here somewhere, though, if you want."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I came prepared," Steve says, wry, and takes out the sketchbook and pencil he keeps inside his jacket. "Having a light on won't keep you awake?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Doubt it."

He's tired enough to sleep through just about anything, he knows, as long as it's safe to do so.

With Steve there, it will be.

"Wake me in a few hours for your turn, okay? Or earlier if you get bored."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I will," Steve says, and thinks "a few hours" could easily mean eight or longer, right?

[nerves_of_ice]

"Okay."

He lies down and gives Steve a quick grin before closing his eyes.

"Night. Or morning. Whichever it is."

No more than five minutes later, Bucky's slipped into a true sleep.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve smiles when he hears Bucky's even, deep breathing, and breathes a little easier himself.

He draws Bucky, of course.


(He leaves out the drooling.)