7716/You Picked This Place on Purpose!

You Picked This Place on Purpose!
Date of Scene:	03 June 2019
Location:	Gino's Pizzeria, Williamsburg
Synopsis:	Look, pizza's good, but it's weird when your own picture is staring back at you. Bucky, you did that on purpose	!
Cast of Characters:	Winter Soldier, Captain America

---

Winter Soldier has posed:
So, they agreed to meet for pizza. It's a good, cheap meal, considering they each eat like several draft horses rolled into one. Buck hasn't been there before - he picked it based on the online reviews and its convenience to a subway stop. But being a contrary bastard, he's picked a seat *right* by the little shrine to Steve's achievements. There's even a little figure of Steve on a tiny shelf, as if someone had taken an action figure and made it into the kind of saint icon one finds in the more old school Catholic churches.

Which is why there's that smirk on that mobile mouth, the eyes bright. Someone's gonna recognize Steve and flip out, surely.

Captain America has posed:
Steve won't be missed slipping in the door. He's dressed in a light-weight blazer and jeans, boots and all, but with a Dodgers baseball cap covering most of his signature flaxen hair. Underneath the utility-blue blazer, a plain grey t-shirt with no emblem identifying him. Still...those broad shoulders are hard to miss. He espies Bucky and appears to sigh to himself as he walks over --

-- only to find where Bucky's seated himself is accompanied by the display. Scoffing silently, the Captain still steels his spine and seats himself.

"Helluva place to sit, Barnes," he mutters, deliberately using the Soldier's last name in return for the contrary decision.

Winter Soldier has posed:
Barnes grins back at him, utterly unrepentant. No hat on - he's got the front of his hair pulled back into a ponytail, but the rest of it's loose. The faux tattoo cover over the arm.

"No one'll believe it's us, Grant," he says. Us, indeed - one of the images in the shrine is a reproduction of an old propaganda poster, all of the Commandos, including Buck, with the legend ENLIST.

Captain America has posed:
"And pigs'll fly," Steve says flatly again. "Thank god I wore the damn baseball cap, Buchanan." Despite the banter, he takes up one of the menus left on the table and flips it back and forth. "You ordered anything yet?"

His regard slides to the shrine again and he can be seen to wince. "...god, I hate that one." The bill of his cap nods towards a small replica of the 'I Want You to Buy War Bonds' poster, complete with 'cocky' Captain America. "Not my good side." He goes back to glowering at the menu instead and wonders if he can eat a 24" pizza all by himself.

Winter Soldier has posed:
"Garlic knots," Buck retorts, serenely. "Pitcher of cola. That way you won't be too wolfish while you make up your mind." And indeed, the waitress bustles up - a dark-haired, matronly lady, with a pitcher of soda, a pitcher of water, and a bowl of little garlic rolls. Buck thanks her, and then looks at the poster. "I dunno. The stretchy outfit is kinna fetching. Like a big patriotic body sock."

Captain America has posed:
"It was a sad excuse for a stealth outfit, that's for sure." Steve sniffs as he looks down at his menu still. For just a moment, it appears he might entirely rebuff the bowl of deliciously-glistening and garlic-spattered breadknots plated before him. Then, with a huff through his nose, he sets aside the plastic-shrouded menu.

He pours water for himself into one of the opaque glasses provided at the table and sips at it before reaching out for a garlic knot. It disappears quickly enough and despite himself, his shoulders drop a touch. "They're good," he comments as if assuring Bucky they aren't poisoned. "Where'd you order, at the counter?"

Winter Soldier has posed:
"Yeah," Buck says, nodding. "Didn't order anything more. Didn't know what you'd be in the mood for." A moment of solemnity, then that grin reappears. Lower, he adds, "They didn't recognize me. But then....lotta folks still think I'm dead." Then he picks up one of the garlic knots, and wolfs it down in a couple of bites. He still eats like a soldier, when he doesn't deliberately try to do otherwise.

Captain America has posed:
"Tempting to suddenly move to Nova Scotia sometimes," Steve jokes rather drily. He wipes his fingertips on a napkin and frowns over at the menu again. "Let's do the 24" All-Meat Monster with extra cheese and peppers. Either that or the New York Stripper, with the bleu-cheese dressing and steak on it. Which one?"

With whatever decision is made in mind, the Captain rises and walks over to the counter. With his best Brooklyn accent and slouchy attitude, bill half-concealing his face, he orders and lays down the money, as if he were NOT Captain America AT ALL. Hoping he's remained anonymous, he returns to his seat again.

"So. Figured we'd talk." Leaning back in his chair, Steve crosses his arms and gives Bucky a level look.

Winter Soldier has posed:
All Meat Monster it is, it seems. At least, that's Buck's vote. "Blue cheese on pizza, that's a big nope," Barnes insists.

While Steve's ordering, he's looking up at the clippinngs, so many of them copies of older ones. Expression neutral, not overtly wistful. Then Steve sits back down, and Buck nods. "Sure," he says, amiably. No sign of guilt or unease.

Captain America has posed:
The lack of guile from the man across from him takes a portion of the wind out of the Captain's sails. Still, knowing that Bucky is no one to be underestimated, he shifts in his chair and looks at his glass of water. He's also apparently not going to beat around the bush.

"Heard you and Peggy are sharing a suite." Wheat-gold eyebrows meet in earnest now as he meets the Soldier's pale eyes. In his own true-blues, there lingers a bruised wariness and readiness for yet another blow. "What's that about?"

Winter Soldier has posed:
That look puzzles Buck intensely, by the way his brows knit together, the way his lips part. Like he's not quite willing to make the cognitive leap to where-ever it is Steve's gone.

But he answers readily enough, still without any defensiveness. "I have a spare room, and she needs someone to hand, to take care of her," he says, simply. Peggy may be as tough as a whole bag of nails, but he's not going to mince words, especially when Carter isn't here to hear it. "And it lets Lili go to her, when she needs to. Lili can open lever-handled doors, and that's what we got in the Triskelion residences."

He doesn't ask Steve why the question - still deliberately keeping it even-keeled.

Captain America has posed:
Steve's eyes shut briefly. There's even a scrunching of his entire face as if he's battening down the locks on something else that wants to escape. He appears again after a second, having composed himself to the leery consideration of the man across from him again.

"Makes sense, especially with Lili. Yeah...take care of her." This, he echoes with less color and an edge despite his self-control. His tone is even again quickly enough. "How's she holding up?" He deliberately makes himself release the hard grip of his own bicep, but doesn't uncross his arms.

Winter Soldier has posed:
Buck's smile is enormously fond, if more than a little sad. "She's holding it together for now. But....she's only stepped into hell and she's got a long goddamned road through it to come. I know she looks like she's maybe just under thirty, but...in terms of lived life, she's pushing fifty, Steve. She was a wife and a mother, and now she's some kind of widow who will probably never see her children again."

He takes a mouthful of water. "It's not like us - we were young men when we were lost, with no ties left. When you went into the ice, the last person who'd really mourn Barnes was gone. No wife, no kids, no family. No one hung a gold star for either of us - when I died, that was my life tied off."

He shrugs. "I think she'll make it, she's an Englishwoman of the old school and they haven't made one that tough since Boudicca showed the Romans what for. But it's gonna be a lot worse before it gets better." There's no guilt in his tone, only that softness.

Captain America has posed:
Steve mirrors the mouthful of his water as well and to his friend's experienced eyes, it's mechanical. The Captain's suddenly almost so stiff that his own neck risks crackling out of stress. His knuckles can be seen to lighten again at their wrap around his bicep.

"Yeah." Quiet, hollow, it's about all he can manage in the moment. His throat can be seen to work beyond the dipped bill of the baseball cap. It shades the man's eyes from being seen where they glisten. Clearing his throat, he speaks lowly. "Lucky she's got you and SHIELD to keep her from nose diving."

Winter Soldier has posed:
"Steve," His voice is still gentle, "She's got you, too. You can be her friend. I'm sure you can do that and still keep within the bounds of your conscience." No hint of an edge there - anger or lecturing'll just hurt to no purpose. He knows what an unyielding taskmaster Steve's sense of the right is. "Don't write yourself out of this already."

Captain America has posed:
"Already started, Buck." His voice has gone lower yet, gained a bit of a rasp. Shifting in his seat, he can be seen to start in place as someone walks by towards the bathroom. Fingers rise and rub at his eyes as if he were frustrated -- sore -- hiding tears -- all of the above. A heavy sigh from him as he keeps his hand before his face, pinching the bridge of his nose, and the other arm wrapped around his torso.

"Thought I'd come clean with her. Told her I meant to propose at the end of the war. Can't do it now. Can't give her that dance I promised. Too much...it'd mean too much. How'm I supposed to help when all I am is pain when she looks at me?"

Winter Soldier has posed:
The former Soldier watches him levelly, lids drooping, a little. "Then you need to start thinking," he says, and now there's the faintest hint of something in his tone. "Do you want to marry Janet, Steven?" he wonders. "Is that in the cards?" Trying, trying to iron out his tone. "Does she wanna marry you?"

Maybe that's where Lili is, with Peggy. Or maybe he just thought it better to not bring along the furry little emotional teleprompter for this discussion. Maybe he foresaw this coming.

Captain America has posed:
Steve's a bit too lost in trying not to slide away beneath the pizza parlor's table to catch the something in the man's voice. However, the topic of conversation has him looking up abruptly, wide-eyed and, again, showcasing the emotional bruising in his true-blues.

"Buck -- no. What the f -- no, Buck, I don't want -- she hasn't asked about marriage, what the hell." He sets his jaw. "What the hell," he enunciates a bit more sharply now, pitch dropping. "Not gonna marry a damn person. 'm not going to marry //anyone//." Each word is bitten out and drips with something that might be self-loathing. "Better off without it."

Winter Soldier has posed:
Steve nearly dropped the F-bomb on him. This century really has ruined him. Buck's eyes go wide at the blond's vehemence, and he lifts his hands in placation. "Okay," he says. "You're not married, and Janet isn't pregnant. Which means that nothing is set in stone, Steve. If Janet's n-" He breaks off abruptly, " ....does she know that Peggy's here?"

Captain America has posed:
Steve can't trust himself to hold his plastic water glass. It might shatter in his hand and that'd be a mess. It's all a mess. Finely trembling in his seat, he forces himself back to the cross-armed seating of earlier rather than the beginnings of what could have been a loom of outrage.

The question earns Bucky something like a tired sneer. "I don't know, Buck, she hasn't said anything! Haven't brought it up. What the hell would be the point of it."

Winter Soldier has posed:
"Because you're sitting there raw as a flogged mule," Buck says, quietly. "If she does care, she's going to notice you're upset. You've never been any damn good at concealing how you feel about things." He rubs at his own forehead with his metal hand. "I mean, I understand if she's not good at discretion, Peggy's presence is....well, that's something my bosses don't want flung to the winds, I imagine."

He looks down at his plate, picks up another garlic knot, starts tearing it with his human hand. "I don't know, Steve. I don't know what to tell you. But you have a friend who needs your help, that I do know. There's only the two of us left and I'm the guy who tried on multiple occasions to murder her. Let that sink in. She's sleeping in the same suite with an assassin who killed a number of her agents and hurt her badly, because he's also the only one there who knew her in her past life."

Captain America has posed:
Steve grows visibly more mulish yet. His eyes narrow and his shoulder hunch up their lost tension of earlier's composure.

"'m not going to take up residence at the Triskelion. I can't do that. I'm needed at the mansion. I already live at one place of work, not gonna take up another. Secondly, Janet knows I'm upset. She's giving me space right now because I'm a flogged mule. She cares." That he bites out very hard. "'nd you'd be surprised at how good I can be about concealing things. You -- "

He seems to deflate a bit, show weariness once more about his eyes. "You just know me too well, Barnes. I want to help her, I just...I dunno how. I dunno know how without hurting her."

Winter Soldier has posed:
"I'm not saying you should live there," Buck's voice is even. He breaks off as they get their pizza, and he glances down for the dog who isn't there. Stifles a sigh, and lets Steve serve himself first. "I'm saying....don't cut Peggy off. Yeah, it hurts you and it hurts her, but you're both adults. Be there for her, as much as you can."

Then he leans back, making the chair creak. "I don't know a way to do this without hurting someone."

Captain America has posed:
The slice of pizza remains untouched on Steve's cream-colored plate. It's probably delicious, but he's not hungry. Not right now. Not anymore. He wipes his fingers on his napkin again since wiping them on his pants isn't acceptable, but he's close to not caring.

"It's a bunch of bunk," the Captain mutters tiredly. "It's gonna kill me to try, but that's not new. Lots of things have tried to kill me over the years. I'll try. What else is there to do."

Winter Soldier has posed:
"Maybe I'm wrong," Buck says, suddenly. "Maybe you shouldn't. Maybe it would be better if you didn't see each other." It's an abrupt change....but there's genuine doubt in his face. "I don't....I don't know. Things are what they are."

Captain America has posed:
And now Bucky on the receiving end of a very particular look - a rigid, bright-eyed look he might not have ever seen before from the man across the table from him.

"'m going to try to help her," he says slowly, as if the Soldier were hard of hearing. "Figure it out as I go. Doesn't matter if it kills me or not. She needs help."

Winter Soldier has posed:
Winter Soldier lifts his hands again, in weary assent. Quite conscious of the fact that he's likely just made things vastly worse for all of them. Whatever he intended to say, he stifles - the Soldier's silence is always a refuge.

Captain America has posed:
With a few terse bites, Steve leaves his lifted piece of pizza riddled with mismatched chunks missing from it. He chews in the silence that follows, listening to the whir of the fans overhead and the modern music coming through the speakers. Something about watching bodies hit the floor, by the lyrics.

"Just don't get why you didn't tell me you offered her that, Buck." It's quiet and it's full of soreness. "It took her mentioning it in a SHIELD meeting."

Winter Soldier has posed:
That makes his lips thin out for a moment. This is a delicate question to navigate, and James Barnes in a temper is never one to mince words. Defensiveness now would be deadly. "I didn't think you'd care," he says, settling on the truth. "I honestly don't know why you do now." He looks up from his plate, blinking at Steve.

Captain America has posed:
"I think you know why I care, Buck." Steve's fist has clutched up the napkin and taken it apart in his palm without thought. "You're deluding yourself if you don't. Think all it takes is a pair of nice gams and pretty eyes to make me forget everything I lost when I came out of the ice."

The jawline and cheekbones can be seen to take on further tension. "We got the same baggage, you 'nd me 'nd her. I can be the bigger man and offer the olive branch. Think I can't?" The nerve of challenge has been apparently pricked.

Winter Soldier has posed:
Buck looks at him, and there's that hint of remoteness there. Something of Winter in his expression - a drawn quality to his face. "I don't think you forgot. I know you can. I'm not even sure there's an olive branch that needs offered. You and she both had a life after the war, in your own ways. And now your paths have crossed again."

Captain America has posed:
There's a hanging crystalline moment between them. Cue the high-noon three-tone whistle and empty breath of wind, maybe a rattlesnake's death-shiver of sound. Steve breaks it with a quiet scoff of disgust. The mostly-shredded napkin gets thrown down to the table's surface as he drops his crust to his plate. His arms get folded again and he looks flatly across the table.

"'m gonna offer the olive branch of help 'nd be a good friend. It'll have to do for now. Dunno what else to do." He rubs a hand down his face, knocking his baseball cap up and askew and apparently not caring for a handful of seconds. Then, something like remorse comes into his face. It floods out the hard glint in his eyes. He can't look Bucky in the face now.

"'m sorry, Barnes. It's a snafu...all of it. I'm a punk."

Winter Soldier has posed:
"You're just hurt," Buck says, simply. "That's all. Yeah, it's a big mess." There's still that weariness in his face - those lines that weren't there during the war are so evident. Apparently that 'I'm sorry' is not taken as an apology directed at him, but more a statement of general feeling.

Captain America has posed:
"Yeah...well...shouldn't be taking it out on you. Even when I didn't have anyone, I had you. Besides, I shouldn't assume anything." A hand scrubs over his eyes again and Steve finds he still can't look his oldest friend in the face still. "'m sorry, Buck. 'm an idiot."

As if to simply have something to do, he reaches for another slice of pizza and rests his elbows on the table, eating with the bill of the baseball cap still angled downwards to hide his own expressions as best he can.

Winter Soldier has posed:
There's that familiar stitch between his brows. "Assume what?" Buck asks. He's only picking at his pizza now, in turn. Surely the garlic knots weren't so filling that he's full, now. Must be the same sort of appetite suppression that's affecting Steve. He glances down and to the side - no, still no Lili. Just these few months, and she's already his furry shadow....and he doesn't know what to do without her.

Then his brow clears, a little, and there's something almost sick in his face. "I wouldn't hurt her, Steve," he says, very quietly. "That guy you got to take everything out - it worked. It's all gone. My old bosses, they really can't make me do anything anymore."

Captain America has posed:
Steve chokes briefly on his mouthful of food at the supposition. Burbling, he reaches for a new napkin and ends up spitting out the wad of saliva-soaked, half-chewed pizza. A final cough and he stares at Bucky with wide eyes, pinked at the cheek in emotion.

"Jesus christ, Buck, no! I wasn't thinking that! God, not at all!" He looks off to one side, horrified at the fact this crossed the Soldier's mind. "God, no, I know you're all clear of that. I know it in my bones," he insists, daring to meet Barnes' eyes again.

Winter Soldier has posed:
There's a long, silent moment where Buck looks into his eyes, searching. But whatever he sees there satisfies him, and he nods, once. "Okay," he says. "Good."

Some of his own color starts to return - he'd gone pale with distress at the idea. The memories of his attempts on Carter's life....they're an all but visible weight.

Captain America has posed:
"God, Buck..." the Captain breathes, leaning back heavily into his chair again. "Okay. Okay," and he too shows his palms towards the brunet as he drops his chin. "Look, let's...let's just eat this pizza. It's good and it's going to get cold and that's a damn shame if it does."

He lapses into silence and attempts to continue eating his pizza because if there's one thing he's going to do, it's finish at least half of the plating of food or else. Because...because it sounds like a fine idea.

Winter Soldier has posed:
Buck's apparently in sync with that thought. Because he starts eating, too. Not wolfing, but eating with that barely restrained haste - as if any moment they might be called to fend off an attack. And it is good pizza, after all.

Captain America has posed:
Time passes in companionable...ish silence. Other orders are put in at the counter and the waitress bustles by a few times, pausing once to ask if they're okay. Steve replies to the affirmative and she promises to come back with more water just in case.

Wiping at his mouth with a napkin, the Captain looks up after his fourth slice and seems to want to say something. His mouth moves and closes. When it opens again, he sounds thoughtful and very much like he's half-wishing he wasn't talking at all.

"So...d'you think she'd like...something like an encyclopedia for...researching the current times? Maybe a book of slang?"

Winter Soldier has posed:
IF there's anything he's learned from his time as HYDRA's servant, it's reticence. Buck's a far more silent creature than the laughing boy who shipped out in 1942. So he's quiet, while they eat.

That question, though, has him glancing up again. "I don't know," he says, quietly. "I don't know what she'd really find helpful. We'll just have to ask. I've tried to get her to go out shopping, a little. She can't wear my clothes all the time, they're too big. She's found some stuff, but she needs more."

Captain America has posed:
Steve pauses in chewing to hear of the borrowed clothing. It sparks something twisted and bright in his chest. He swallows with care and then nods.

"Figured she was borrowing the SHIELD personnel civilian gear. Seen her wear it before." Like when they talked in the office to such a blurred and pained end. "Didn't want to...don't want to assume that I know what she'd want to wear. Keep trying. You've got a good head for disguises, so figure that factors into knowing what would work for her." He says this humbly, fully aware that he'd probably be less help between the two of them in the long term.

Winter Soldier has posed:
"I'm not doin' the shopping for her," he says, with a little laugh. "She's not imprisoned on the island. Though god knows twentyfirst century New YOrk is overwhelming. We just do it a little at a time. Lili's a big help. She's decided that Peg's her charge, as well."

Captain America has posed:
The vision of the sentinel German Shepherd staying close to both of them -- Bucky firstly, but now Peggy as well -- is more than enough to melt the cold shards gathering beneath his sternum. This is excellent. Steve knows yet again he did well in reaching out and offering the aid of the sweet dog. The reminder is balm on his scourged psyche.

"She's a sweet girl, Lili. Knew it when I saw her." A faint dimple shows at the side of the Captain's mouth. "Lili will be good for her too. Something simple and wholesome about that dog's affection. No strings or any bunk attached." He pokes his crust at a dropped spatter of marinara sauce on his plate, drawing in it without thinking at the design intended. "I'll...I'll think of some useful things to give her. Got a few ideas."

Winter Soldier has posed:
"I still think she's Rin Tin Rin's great-grandkid," Buck insists, with a little, curling grin. "Smart as a whip. And she really is. Peggy didn't want to believe me, when I told her that Lili's trained to respond to nightmares and emotions. She's been real good for me."

The dog is a safe subject, thankfully.

Captain America has posed:
Steve's teeth finally show in a mirrored grin rather than a grit or grimace. "Bet she was surprised to hear that Lili can do it. I know they used to have the odd dog out with those skills naturally, but her trainer told me that some of them catch on really fast when they have the aptitude."

Crumpling up another napkin to wipe off his fingers again, he polishes off his water. The waitress arrives just in time to swap out the near-empty pitcher for another with unmelted ice. Steve offers her a quiet 'thanks' and refills his glass from it. A gesture at Bucky silently asks if he wants more in his own glass.

Winter Soldier has posed:
Winter Soldier tips his own glass towards Steve, requesting the refill. "Yeah. I mean, we had dogs for the war effort, but it was all the physical stuff. Tracking, keeping watch, attacking the enemy. Not...." He waves a hand, vaguely. "Combat fatigue. But they have 'em now in the army to do just that."

Captain America has posed:
Ice cubes clink and clunk in the fall of water into Bucky's glass. Steve puts the pitcher aside again and wipes his palm on his pants; after all, it's just condensation, not pizza grease.

"Amazing how many things a dog can do. Rin-Tin-Tin should be proud of his great-great-grandkid. Lili's a very good girl." He polishes off his crust in a few chomps and chews as he considers one of the few remaining pieces of pizza. To eat or not to eat. Or take as leftovers. "You can take the rest of this back, if you want. Maybe Peggy'll like it." He glances up from the pizza, trying very hard to veil the remaining dregs of concern in the innocent offer.

Winter Soldier has posed:
"The best girl," James agrees, nodding. The blue eyes are so very fond.

Then Steve's offering the pizza, and Buck considers it, shakes his head. "Nah. Let's eat it. I can bring it to her fresh, sometime. They do order in, even to the Triskelion, honest. And I cook for her, when she's not feeling up to dealing with the world at large."

Captain America has posed:
"Mkay. More for us then." The Captain takes two of the remaining four slices and, with another little sigh, tucks into one of them. Behind him, someone laughs loudly and he snakes an oblique look over his shoulder towards them in idle curiosity before looking back to Bucky again.

"Can't believe no one's noticed me still. Makes me start to believe that baseball caps really do work as disguises. I mean, that 'nd slouching." He wrinkles his nose in a half-smile, hating the ease of turning his privacy into a joke even on the slant.

Winter Soldier has posed:
"People see what they expect to see," Buck's voice has that sly note in it. "And no one actually expects to see you here. Maybe in a museum or at some fancy affair. Not out among the hoi polloi. No one expects to see me, so they don't. It's that simple."

He takes the other two pieces, works on them with the same appetite he brought to the first. Does he have a wooden leg?

Captain America has posed:
"It's nice to be anonymous," he agrees as he scoots in his chair further to better rest his elbows on the table. Silence holds for a bit again, allowing the overhead music to insert itself once more. Now it's something from the 80s, something about hurricanes. Steve smiles to himself; this one, he knows. His boot taps immediately to the beat under the table, barely loud enough to be heard.

"Maybe I'll grow some facial hair..." Fingers brush at his jawline towards his chin as if imagining the scruff. "It'd help with nobody recognizing me."

Winter Soldier has posed:
Buck eyes him, expression dry. "Sure," he says. "Hell, go for broke, grow a set of muttonchops. Why not?" Apparently he's not down with the whole beard trend - scrupulously cleanshaven, as ever.

Captain America has posed:
The suggestion entices a bark of a laugh out of Steve. He shakes his head, making sure that his held piece of pizza remains over the plate. "Muttonchops were Dum Dum's thing, not mine. No-ho, never mine. He'd roll over in his grave if I tried. Tell me I had better things to do than waste my time trying." The soldier's happiness dims a watt or two in rememberence of the departed Howling Commando, but he rallies.

"Could try a goatee..." And maybe he'll also suddenly profess a great desire to give up cartoon art for a career in geology.

Winter Soldier has posed:
"Full prophet beard. Get real Old Testament about it," Buck advises. Then, "Think I should get a haircut? Could buzz all this right off." And he'd look like a raw recruit, again.

Captain America has posed:
The Captain scoffs, waving a hand to dismiss the whole idea of facial hair on him. He's not looking to deal with the odd interim of growing it all in, full of itch and days of looking more like he forgot to shave than intension of a future beard. Plus, the latest craze with using coconut oil to keep the hair gleaming is just...too futuristic for him.

"Your call on that. If you're comfortable with it long, leave it. You want it shorter, take it off. You're still Barnes either way." Steve gives him a small smile, this one most true of all since they arrived, and finishes off his second-to-last piece of pizza. Only one left on the plate now.

Winter Soldier has posed:
He consults with himself a bit, shrugs. "Enh," he says. "I dunno why I let it get this long. I should at least get a trim. We'll see."

Now he's looking up at the menu. Do they have dessert? His appetite for sweets remains epic.

Captain America has posed:
"Pick whatever you want from the menu. Tab's on me." By the lift of Steve's brows beneath the shadowing of the cap's brim, he's going to argue this into the ground at least. Dibs on the tab, no other takers. "If they've got something chocolate, get two."

After all, it'll balance out the amount of deliciously cheesy salt going over his palate for the majority of the meal. Finally killing the last bite of crust, the Captain sits back in his chair. With hand wrapped around his sweating water glass, he glances away across the room. A small boy makes eye contact and stops in mid-swipe of his crayon across his page of plain white printer paper. He's about seven or so, his regard owl-eyed and solemn in recognition. Steve lifts a single finger to his lips and smiles -- shh, little one. The kid nods and stares at him a little bit longer before going back to his drawing with renewed vigor.

Winter Soldier has posed:
Buck doesn't intend to argue this one. HE cooked for Steve often enough, back when. Steve can buy him a meal. Buck heaves himself up, heads to the counter, and orders a pair of tiramisu.

Then he's wandering back, hands in his pockets, and sits down across from Steve.

Captain America has posed:
The Soldier is watched as he goes to the counter. Steve's ears just barely pick up the item ordered -- tiramisu -- and he nods to himself. The server stops by just before Bucky reaches the table again to collect the pizza tray and various plates. She gives the two men a professional smile before disappearing away again.

Steve sighs and gives his friend a searching look. "We good?" he asks shortly, pragmatic without being demanding of an immediate answer.

Winter Soldier has posed:
"Are we?" Buck retorts, without hesitation. Now there's some of that wariness back in his gaze....Winter's wolfish opacity. He leaves it there, eyes not wavering from Steve's.

Captain America has posed:
"...I figured so," the blond replies, suddenly uncertain in marked opposition of Bucky's tone. "Unless you got something else you want to hash out. Still waiting on dessert." Steve rubs his palms on his pants and looks as if he wants to cross his arms, but refrains from doing it.

Winter Soldier has posed:
Unblinking, for a long moment - he only lowers his head the tiniest fraction, looking up at Steve from under his brows. Then it passes, and he shrugs again. "All right," he says. Apparently it's all good by him.