6359/A Safe Place

A Safe Place
Date of Scene:	03 February 2019
Location:	Brooklyn, New York City
Synopsis:	Steve sets up Bucky in his Brooklyn apartment for now and brings along a new friend for the man. Enter Lili the service dog, most spoiled dog in New York.
Cast of Characters:	Winter Soldier, Captain America

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Winter Soldier has posed:
So, Buck's been in limbo. Loki fixed him, in that he's no longer under HYDRA's control....but memories aren't there. He doesn't remember his initial redemption with SHIELD. He doesn't remember much clearly past the war. Another man out of time, like Steve himself....and this one saddled with past crimes and notoriety.

He could stay in SHIELD's facilities, but it's like being a lab rat, in its way. Or a prisoner, again. So this is a stopgap measure, Steve with his usual kindness stepping in to offer him a place to stay while he clears his head and has a rest somewhere relatively safe.

Captain America has posed:
The keys on the keyring jingle quietly in the hall. Up three flights of stairs, each carrying luggage, and now standing before the dark-wood door, with its bronze placard indicating numbers, Steve frowns at the fobs. "Thought it was...right, this one." The door to the apartment opens noiselessly. Semi-stale air filters out of the place, with its lights still off, and is proof of the Captain deserting it for a period of a few weeks for his own safety.

Walking in, he reaches out to flick up the switches for kitchen and living room with motions indicative of habit. The left-hand wall stretches for the length of the kitchen, complete with coat-closet tucked right by the entryway. The kitchen expands beyond the width of the counters in white and chrome, its countertops granite and covered in a thin layer of dust. Steve frowns at what gathers on his palm as he swipes his hand across it. "Gotta talk to management about changing the air filters..." A button of his after all those years of asthmatic difficulties.

The living room is full of leather furniture, a loveseat and plush chair both, along with a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. The sound system is nice. A window stretches along the outside wall to showcase the Brooklyn skyline and New York beyond it. Books of all sorts as well as records and little knickknacks tuck into a small reading corner separated from the living room by the shelving holding the titles. Head right and down a short hallway to find the master bedroom as well as guest bedroom, both with their own closets and bathrooms. The dryer and washing machine is behind a set of slatted folding doors. Steve continues towards the guest bedroom in particular, glancing over his shoulder at Bucky. "It's quiet here. I remember thinking that. It's nothing like living in the tenements. Nobody beating on the ceiling beneath your feet with a broom handle about walking too loudly." He tries for a small smile.

Winter Soldier has posed:
"Yeah," Buck says, a little blankly. It seems faintly blasphemous to him, an apartment in Brooklyn where you aren't cheek by jowl with your neighbors. "This is like..." The pale gaze roams, never lighting on any one thing for very long, giving Bucky a sort of purblind look, "A fancy hotel, I guess, by the standards we used to have." He remembers that much, at least. "Not that we ever stayed in a fancy hotel, back when." Not much luggage - a duffel, with some clothing, running shoes, that's about it. What does he own? Where has he ever settled? Whatever he shared with Darcy, it seems to've been erased.

Captain America has posed:
What duffel bags Steve carries contain his own clothing, mostly from his locker at the Triskelion. Dirty clothes must be washed and why not use his own washer? He pauses by the door to the guest bedroom and nods towards it, glancing back to Bucky.

"It's pretty fancy compared to back in the day. All the modern amenities..." he says, his eyes traveling around the hallway and the various rooms as if to make sure he remembers it all -- or to check that everything is still there. "This room can be yours. Or the master bedroom, even," the Captain amends, watching his oldest friend with quiet, knowing eyes. "I'll be in the mansion for a few weeks more. I've got a few loose ends to tie up there before I can move back in."

The guest bedroom is furnished plainly without being sparing. A thick navy-blue puffed comforter covers pristine white sheets tucked in exactingly, tight enough to bounce a quarter, or so Steve might claim. Beside the bed, a small desk complete with pull-lamp and various drawers. Two dressers line the opposite wall, matched to the bedframe. The carpet is tan, thick, warm on bare feet. The window has its curtains drawn and these are room-darkening, just in case. The bathroom is 4/4, complete with shower and tub in one and a sink with a broad counter, mirror overtop to function as a press-surface cabinet.

Winter Soldier has posed:
"This is fine," Buck says, putting his bag down by the dresser. "More than fine. It's not a jail cell or a lab." He sits down on the bed, looking at the room from that perspective. "I mean, god knows I slept in the same bed as you enough times, but I didn't think you missed it bad enough to invite me back. You used to say I snored," he says, looking up at Steve with that wry little grin. "And with the way things are these days, people'd get the wrong idea about us." The idea only seems to amuse, rather than disgust him. Not that James Barnes was ever a prude, in his day.

Captain America has posed:
"I bet you still snore," the Captain replies at first, flashing a crooked grin. "I had to stop Morita multiple times from throwing a boot at you. Reminded him that he wouldn't get it back and 'finders-keepers' applied." Shaking his head, he turns to the double fold-back doors on the opposite side of the hallway. They slide open to reveal the washer and dryer, while contraptions, Whirlpool top-load; the dryer's a front load, apparently.

"'nd it's nothing new, that wrong idea." He unzips his own duffel and begins pulling out variations on the theme of cotton t-shirts and sweatpants along with white socks. Nothing fancy mixed in, save for a few bright colors here and there. "Been having visits from Wade...you might know him. They call him the Merc with the Mouth. Deadpool. Wears red and black on his full-body suit because it doesn't show blood. He heals faster than anyone I've ever seen and he's..." Steve blows a sigh and winces at Bucky after shoving an armful of clothing into the washing machine. "Missing a couple screws on his good days. Anyways...Janet seems convinced he's an ex of mine. I don't dignify it. So -- wouldn't surprise me at all to hear the rumors begin to spread." He seems ruefully accepting of this by his tone. "Let 'em." He shrugs. "You need a place to settle where no one's breathing down your neck. It's here," and he points at the ground at his feet emphatically.

Winter Soldier has posed:
Buck's giving him an eye, for a moment there. "That sounds pretty...." And he twirls a forefinger beside his temple. One crazy assassin critiquing another - Sergeant Pot calls Agent Kettle black. Then he tilts his head, look turning speculative, before he gets up again to go exploring, vanishing into the kitchen proper. Tread still so quiet, even thogh he's in heavy boots.

Captain America has posed:
"Yeah... Wade's an interesting person," mutters the soldier under his breath as he packs another armful of clothing into the washing machine. He glances up as he catches the sight and sound of movement and lingers momentarily by the machine.

Having shucked his shoes at the front door, Steve's equally quiet as he pads along after Bucky. He's curious as to what the other man is up to and stops just beyond the junction of hallway into open space connecting living room and kitchen. He doesn't say anything, simply looks for his friend and then watches.

Winter Soldier has posed:
He's looking into the fridge, then the cabinets. Scouting out what's where. Gotta know where all the knives and possible weapons are here, right? Bucky vs Deadpool, armed with a butter knife. It could happen. "I shouldn't talk, really," Buck mutters. "Considering I have my own moments where things aren't....clear." He hasn't had any violent flashbacks. No flickers of the Soldier taking the wheel. But his shoulders are tense, nonetheless.

Captain America has posed:
Steve leans against the wall just beyond the pantry door, silently watching with his hands shoved into the pockets of his sweatpants. He hazards that he recognizes what's going on here: identification and requisition of potential weaponry.

"There's a Glock G21 under the cutting board, when you pull it out," the man says quietly, "And a Taser X2 Defender tucked behind the coffee grinder." He nods towards the silver stainless steel-encased brewer. "I didn't opt into any home assistants, but I could convince Tony to install something, if you wanted an extra eye on things."

He pauses and frowns speculatively. "...or..."

Winter Soldier has posed:
Now Steve gets the fish-eye in earnest. "Steve, you, with a gun?" he asks, quizzically. But he does go for the Glock first, pointing off at a proper safe angle, racking the slide to see if there's a round in place. "Man, these things are ugly," he sighs. "Little blocks of polymer...." Then he puts it back. No need to safe it.

Then he's inspecting the tazer. "These things mess me up," he notes. That casual tone, but STeve will know it for the warning it is. Advice, at least. "I'm vulnerable to electrical stuff, even more than an ordinary guy." Then he tucks it back, and looks Steve in the eye. There's that hint of something there, a wildness perhaps. "Or what?"

Captain America has posed:
"You don't have to keep the taser if you think you'll ever be on the wrong end of it," his friend is quick to offer, still calmly. "I was being pragmatic. It can go back to the mansion with me when I leave, if you want. But I was thinking..." Steve tucks his chin and looks to one side. His hand rises to rub at the back of his neck in passing before he meets Bucky's eyes again. Back into his pocket the hand goes and he remains leaning casually, projecting ease.

"I'm thinking you need someone here when I'm not here. An extra set of eyes that aren't electronic -- not technology. Something living and breathing." He smiles just the slightest. "What'd'ya think about a dog? A service dog."

Winter Soldier has posed:
That puzzles him - that familiar little indent appearing between the dark brows. "I....I see and hear okay, Steve. No seizures, either. What would a dog do? I mean, I like dogs....." he looks around. "This place....while it's big for New York, it's awful small for a dog. I don't need a babysitter...." He gives Steve a little shrug. "Maybe get me a teddy bear," he deadpans.

Captain America has posed:
"I know you're hale, Buck." The blond keeps wearing that small, heartfelt little smile. "He wouldn't be a seeing or hearing service animal. He'd be for those times when...when you have nightmares. Or hear a sound that's too much then and there. To keep space between you and people who might step too close." His tone is kind and knowing, in its way. "A teddy bear's all well and good, but...what about another buddy? Someone who can be there when I can't," he repeats with a slight tilt to his head, still watching Bucky across the kitchen.

Winter Soldier has posed:
Winter Soldier looks away for a little, worrying at his lip with a front tooth. Steve knows that expression all too well - Buck arguing with himself. Then he looks back at Steven...and Steve can see something in him relent. "Okay," he says, simply. "If you think it'd help." Why not? Might be something to focus on....and a dog won't give a damn about what HYDRA did to him.

Captain America has posed:
Steve seems to let out a sigh almost relieved. "Okay, good." A firm nod. "Gimme about...half an hour? Help yourself to whatever's in the fridge, there's...actually, dunno if there's any beer, but if there is, it's yours." He disappears back down the hallway and into the master bedroom briskly. On re-appearance, he's grabbed a thick coat and thrown it overtop his thermal undershirt. Still in sweatpants, he walks over to the door and shoves his sneakers on his feet.

Winter Soldier has posed:
When he returns, Buck's in the kitchen. He's got a bottle of beer open, though it might as well be fizzy hop-tasting soda for all the effect it has. He's eying the beer with a sort of mournful, indecisive air. Ice cream would at least taste good, and his finely-tuned metabolism won't let him pack on weight. Gaze trained on the door, for all the world like a dog himself, waiting for his master's step in the hall.

Captain America has posed:
It takes Steve about the aforementioned half an hour to complete his errand -- the trainer must not have lived far from the apartment, a boon in his case. There's the sound of keys in the door and rather than a sneaker crossing the entryway first, it's a snuffling black nose.

At Steve's side is a large German Shepherd, emphasis on the size. This one must be of German blood, tipping the scales at over one-hundred pounds. Red-gold with a black saddle, its soft brown eyes immediately land upon Bucky. It wears a full service dog vest, complete with handle at easy reach for either man's hanging hand, and glances back at Steve as the soldier closes the door.

"Okay, go," says Steve quietly, gesturing towards Bucky. The dog then pads over and respecfully sits down before Bucky. With dish-like ears perked, it then lifts one paw almost indecisively -- no, wait, it's a request to...shake, of all things. The leathery black nose continues to twitch. "The dog's name is FUBAR...of all things," says Steve from the door, watching almost on tenterhooks. "You don't have to call her that. She was just given it because she lacked the drive for protection work."

Winter Soldier has posed:
Such a good dog. It's got to be a relief to Steve to see some of that frozen quality melt out of Buck's expression. A kind of tense immobility eases a few notches...and he's instantly crouching down on the floor to take her paw and shake it gently. "I'm not calling her that. It's not her fault - you're just too sweet to be mean, aren'tcha, girl? It can be the name on her papers, or whatever." Having relinquished his grip on that paw, he's scratching her ears gently with his normal hand. "Who's the goodest girl in New York? Yes, it's you!"

Captain America has posed:
As Steve watches, he gets this a grateful little smile wherein his eyes twinkle a touch. He remains where he is, not wanting at all to distract from the first few moments of bonding.

The dog is entirely dignified as her paw is shook and then she squints at the delightful sensation of fingernails in just the right spot behind one of those huge ears. She shuffles forwards in her sit, flipping her tongue to touch her nose once or twice, and then dares a little lick at Bucky's chin.

"You can call her whatever you want, Buck. She's yours," Steve says quietly from over by the front door.

Winter Soldier has posed:
He laughs at the licking, softly - surprising himself, it seems. Sitting down on the kitchen floor, and petting her. "What's your name, girl?" he asks, as he scratches under her collar. "I mean, what shall we call you?" A glance up at Steve. "Got any ideas? She needs somethin' good."

Captain America has posed:
The dog settles contentedly in place, her eyes going dozy with those slow blinks that indicate enjoyment. This guy's good at scritchies, oh man. A thump of two of her thick tail further indicates appreciation for those blunt fingernails.

"Hmm..." Steve toes off his sneakers and shucks off his wind-breaker on one of the four kitchen chairs scooted into the table. "German names? Greta, Ida, Katra, Nadia...Sascha. Tilli?" The fridge door opens and he snags a beer out of it, if only for the taste. Like his friend, inebriation is a far cry from a single beer -- more like Asgardian mead and two steins of that alone. "Oh, right," he suddenly says, putting the bottle aside on the counter to walk back to his coat. The man fishes out a piece of paper, tri-folded, and hands it out to Bucky. "Here. It's a list of things recommended by the trainer. Her food she was fed, toys, walking times, all of that. I mentioned you hadn't had a dog before and she was more than happy to help."

Winter Soldier has posed:
Winter Soldier looks up, takes it, runs his gaze over it in the way Steve knows all too well - memorizing it. "Lili," he says, with a sudden grin; a wan echo of that old lightning flash, but still the genuine article. "Like that old song the Germans used to sing," And he sings a few bars of 'Lili Marlene'. The rechristened Lili cocks her ears forward, and lets her tongue loll a little.

Captain America has posed:
Steve grins and showcases his dimples to their full extent. Gosh, but he's one pleased friend at this point. Very little could deflate him. "I think she likes it. You can sing to her whenever you want, but watch you -- she might start asking you for it." He's ignored by the dog as he walks back to take up his beer and rather than feeling sad for it, he's again relieved. After all, Lili is to be his eyes and security when he's not present. There's no reason she should focus upon him.

"Lili," he echoes as he pops the bottle's cap, glancing over again with a smile. "She looks like one. I didn't think the list was too scary? Not like requisitions back in the Army," he adds before taking a swig of the beer. Ale, of course.

Winter Soldier has posed:
Winter Soldier scratches under her chin, making her squint her eyes in pleasure, and pin her ears back. More thorough scratches follow. "Nah. And I'll call her trainer..." Now it's filtered through, past his initial delight. "Where'd you get her, Steve?" he wonders. "She's obviously high-bred and well-trained...."

Captain America has posed:
"A friend of a friend," replies the Captain after another swig of beer. "I've got connections to many of the veteran's groups around here. I met another soldier's service dog and I thought to myself that..." He finalls silent, clearly mulling through what brought him to this decision.

"I thought to myself that you might like another set of eyes. Someone who can be there when I can't. With the way the world's headed, I might not be here sometimes for days, or even weeks at a time. Lili can be by your side twenty-four-seven, even when the dreams get bad. She's trained to wake you up if you're having a nightmare. Show her where the light switch it and she'll turn on the desk lamp. The trainer wrote how to teach her on the sheet," he explains as to further contents of the tri-fold paper. "She knows, you just gotta show her. She's got good blood. She's a working line, not a show line. Something about her hips being more stable, better heart too, good disposition."

Winter Soldier has posed:
"Well, she's obviously a sweetheart," he says, petting her, long runs of his hand down from ears to the base of her tail. "She's a beaut." Clearly enchanted. Then Steve notes that she can turn on the light, and he flicks an amused look up at Steve. "Can she cook me dinner, too?" he deadpans. "She sounds like she's Rin Tin Tin's ten times great-grand-daughter, or something." He did love those movies when they were kids, after all.

Captain America has posed:
Steve's sudden laugh rings out across the kitchen. "I dunno, she might be! The trainer didn't tell me about cooking dinner, but who knows? You might be able to teach her. She's...how did the woman put it." The man frowns, trying to remember. "Biddable and trained to think, but not like a troublemaker might. She's not gonna get into stuff, but if you try to train her something new, she might enjoy it. I'm not sure, so give Sally a call before you try anything. I dunno if it'll interfere with the dog's current training."

Winter Soldier has posed:
Now Buck's fooling with her harness, testing it, finding the fastenings. "She can go anywhere with that jacket on, right? I know it's a law, that the people who need a service dog can take 'em anywhere." Carefully, he takes it off, sets it aside for now. "You're off-duty, girl, at least in the house," he tells her. "And Alsatians are smart as hell. I remember 'em on both sides in the war. What was the one who got the Silver Star? Chips?"

Captain America has posed:
Steve thinks as he sips at his beer, still leaning hipshot on the kitchen counter. "Right, Chips," he suddenly says, pointing a finger at Bucky and Lili, lingering nearby the man regardless of the removed harness. "Yeah, he got the Purple Heart too. Sentry dog. A good boy," says the blond almost solemnly.

"I don't think anyone's gonna stop you from having her with you when you walk around, but check with Sally. She'll tell you if there's any locations where you might have to answer questions. It's hard." His expression collapses noticeably. "I had that other soldier tell me that folks sometimes don't believe that his dog is a service dog, even with the vest. It's not often, but he says it's a pain in the ah -- hind end," he amends, already smirking at his knee-jerk reaction. No doubt some teasing is inbound.

Winter Soldier has posed:
Buck nods, looking a little more solemn. Which is when Lili slaps her tongue across his face again. Blep. He laughs at that, pushing at her muzzle with his ordinary hand. Then she's giving the metal arm a thorough sniffing. "I know, girl, it's weird," he tells her, letting her inspect it. "But it's part of me." Another look at Steve. "Other soldier?"

Captain America has posed:
"Yeah, down at the VA offices. His name's Beau. He did three tours in Afghanistan. When he came home, he realized that he needed another buddy nearby. Going from sleeping elbow-to-elbow with his platoon to here, with a room by himself...he said it was too much, with the nightmares. He has Cricket, a chocolate lab," Steve explains. "Cricket does the same thing Lili should do for you when that happens, given Sally trained him too."

He finishes his beer and sets the bottle aside to be sorted for recycling later. "I can see that she's already more relaxed -- like she's off-duty when the vest is off." Steve comments this even as he kneels down to look the German Shepherd over again. "That's good. She can be a dog but still know how to help you around here."

Winter Soldier has posed:
"Afghanistan..." Buck's voice is weirdly almost wistful. "I can't imagine. I guess I could claim VA benefits, now that I think about it....I should.....well, I'll talk to Sally," he says, sounding thoughtful. Relaxed, indeed. Lili bunts her head against his human shoulder, and he pets her some more. Buck as a dog-owner.....it's going to be quite a spectacle

Captain America has posed:
"She's always available, she said. If you can't get ahold of her via phone, she said to text her. She'll get back to you as fast as she can," Steve explains. "She knows a lot. It's refreshing." He sighs and then steps back to the fridge again. Out come the fixings for sandwiches in an array of fillings and spreads, bread and all.

"You want roast beef and cheese? No mayo, right?" the man asks over his shoulder as the wrapping around the bread crinkles.

Winter Soldier has posed:
"I still hate mayo, a hundred years later," Buck agrees. Then he's levering himself up off the floor to go steal a scrap of beef, which he offers to Lili. She takes it delicately and thumps her tail in gratitude. Soon tobe the most spoiled service dog in the greater New York area. "And I'll call her tomorrow...." Lili's going to end up his ambassador to the human race at large.

Captain America has posed:
Steve snorts quietly to himself as he watches that sliver of roast beef disappear. Oh yes -- someone's going to be a very spoiled dog. It doesn't take long at all for Bucky's sandwich to be made, given its limited fixings, and the sound of a plate sliding on the counter is the food offered up to the man.

"What's wrong with mayo?" His friend asks this almost playfully as he works on his own, giving one piece of bread a solid swiping of the mayonnaise. For the other side, mustard. The filling are cheese, roast beef, turkey, and some spinach, which Steve layers one at a time.

Winter Soldier has posed:
"It tastes like nothing and it's greasy," Buck says, pulling a face. He's always hated it. Lili's definitely happy with the offering, licking her whiskers. Buck washes his hands, before sitting down to eat. About to take a bite of his sandwich, before blue eyes meet soft brown ones. ".....we've got food for her, right?" he says, suddenly. "Or do I gotta go out and get some." 24 hour markets, so convenient.

Captain America has posed:
"You'd have to go out and get some," Steve confirms as he finishes making his sandwich. He walks over to the kitchen table and sits down comfortably, resting his elbows on it with the sandwich held in two hands. "It's on the list, whatever food she eats. Same with her exercise habits. You could run with her, if you wanted, I guess. I just know she's supposed to have her vest on if she's working." He takes a huge bite of his food, heedless of proper manners. It's Bucky. Who's gonna rag on him?

Winter Soldier has posed:
Buck nods at that, attentively. "Okay," he says, simply, before giving her a look. "Lili, we're gonna have to go shopping. Get you some gear tonight, okay?" Yeah, he's talking to the dog. Why not? Realizing she's being addressed, she offers a smile and wags her tail. Yes, I am a good dog.

Captain America has posed:
Steve speaks up from around his mouthful of sandwich, his voice reaching a fairly impressive falsetto:

"Okay, mister Bucky, you're the best. Feed me your sandwich, please? I am a bottomless pit." He can't keep up the charade, however, not when he gets that almost-knowing side-look from the dog, and laughs behind his hand as to not spray crumbs all over the kitchen table.

Winter Soldier has posed:
It sends Buck off into a fit of wheezing, near-silent laughter. He does give her half the sandwich, and Lili settles down to eat it, looking content. Then Buck's munching his way through the remainder - still definitely more relaxed than he was earlier. Lili's already begun to have an effect.

Captain America has posed:
Not commenting on where that second half of Bucky's sandwich goes, Steve rather contents himself to finishing his own in companionable silence. A period of peaceful silence follows and even if the Captain appears to be off in his own world, rest assurred he's marking every nuance of calmness in his friend's demeanor and silently congratulating himself on a very good decision.

"You wanna go get that food before it gets too dark? We can take an Uber again. They'll let Lili in the back with her vest on," says Steve as he collects the remaining crumbs from his plate with a wetted fingertip.

Winter Soldier has posed:
Buck considers. "Yeah. Could we just walk her, though? Or is it too far?" He doesn't know where anything is, not really. Not in the habit of carrying a smartphone, at the moment. "But sure, whatever's best..."

Captain America has posed:
"I figured it's too cold for walking that far for her tonight. Do you wanna go walk her around the neighborhood and I can get the food? I don't mind," Steve says as he walks his plate over to the sink and places it in the bottom. "I remember what the food is. You go walk her." He encourages this even as he comes back to grab up his wind-breaker. "Maybe down to the park and back, with her vest-harness on. You two can get to know each other better." His smile is kind and cajoling without being overtly pushy.

Winter Soldier has posed:
Now Buck gives him a look. "Steve, this isn't cold. Not that cold. C'mon. Two supersoldiers and a dog bred from a line meant to fight in Germany? Pffft. We'll walk. Won't we, girl?" The last over his shoulder at Lili, who wags her tail. More sandwich? Yes, sandwich.

Captain America has posed:
"Alright, we'll walk." The Captain capitulates easily enough, though he does go to swap out his windbreaker for a more sturdy winter jacket as well as a pair of treated jeans. "Maybe I've dealt with enough cold to last me a lifetime, hmm?" He asks this in wry humor as he slips on his combat boots left by the front apartment door. Laundry will be finished once they return and Steve, in his usual leonine dignity, does nothing more than eyebrow at any teasing about his delicate sensibilities to chilly weather.

Their travels are brisk and Lili seems no worse for the wear, trotting contendly alongside Bucky in her vest. The staff at the pet store immediately show the two men where to find the food on the trainer's list as well as some other important items and if anyone recognized, it's not immediately obvious. Upon returning to the apartment, it's clear that this was a very good decision. Lili paid impeccable attention to Bucky the entire time and she'll be a welcome addition to his little family.