girlwithout | (no subject)

Entry tags:

milliways,
oom

(no subject)

Although it's not used all that often, there is a little studio off the gym in Milliways that's suitable for someone who, for example, might be interested in a little dancing.

Rikki doesn't dance anywhere near as often as she used to - mostly because, in addition to picking up the whole superhero thing, she doesn't have a place to go or a teacher - but (a), it's not like she stopped, and (b) as it turns out, being a superhero kinda helps keep you in shape for other athletic activities. And well. It always did help her think.

Point being, there's now some music working its way out from the studio into the larger gym area, and the door's cracked open.

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Steve, on his way back from a good workout (only three punching bags broken--it's an improvement) hears the music, and pauses to investigate the source.

He recognizes Rikki in a moment. Leaving would probably be more polite--God knows he dislikes it when people watch him work out, and their first meetings have gone spectacularly badly--but instead he says quietly, "Hello, Ms. Barnes," to let her know she's got company.

For a brief second, she hears his voice and almost thinks it's her Steve showing up to lecture her on not getting so distracted she doesn't notice someone coming in. But no, it's the other one, the one from Milliways. The one she'd kind of figured didn't really want anything to do with her.

Her step falters a little before she stops entirely. "Hey, Steve."

"I heard the music and wanted to see who it was...I don't know much about dancing, but you look really good."

His hand fidgets with the duffel bag he's carrying.

"Thanks."

Awkward silence. "I took lessons for, like... eight years? So."

More awkward silence. "Did you want something?"

Steve takes a deep breath. "I actually have some news. Maybe you'd like to sit down?"

"Okay. Um, in here? I think there's a couple chairs around..."

He sees some folding chairs to the side, and unfolds one for her.

"Thanks."

She sits down and... waits, mostly. "What did you want to say?"

"Bucky Barnes--my Bucky--he's alive."

...this may be anticlimactic to Rikki.

"Yeah. Um, I met him."

"...oh.

"I didn't want you to be shocked if you did run into him, but I guess that's moot now." He actually smiles at her. "I hope the two of you get along."

"I think he was more shocked than I was."

Understatement.

The smile, faint as it was, disappears instantly. "Yeah. He's still got a lot of blanks to fill in."

Right, so. There's a bit of fidgeting.

"Was that... all you wanted to tell me?"

It's not that she wants to push him away or anything, but she's having enough problems right now with facing the Steve she knows for sure wants her around.

"I suppose so."

He pauses.

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

Alternative universe or no, she's still part of a family he'd loved. Still loves.

Well, that's... super not what she was expecting.

She blinks at him. "Like what?"

"I have no idea.

"I mean, he's my best friend and you're his family, and I'm here...

"Never mind. Prattling of an old man."

"You didn't... really want to talk to me before."

(It still stings.)

Steve looks guilty at that.

"I've never coped well with Bucky's death," he admits quietly. "I've never sought out Rebecca, or anyone else from the Barnes family for that matter. You being here...well, it's just easier to deal with now that I know he's alive.

"I'm sorry. I never meant to make you feel...unvalued."

She draws her legs up onto the chair and hugs them to her chest. "It's fine," she says, unconvincingly. "It's just, I was - "

("Sophie, we need to talk now. This is that part. The part where we talk, okay?")

" - having a really bad day."

She doesn't say I could have used you then, but it still hangs in the air.

Edited 2014-12-01 00:00 (UTC)

Steve crouches down by her chair. "I'm here now. For what it's worth."

She shrugs and rests her chin on her knees. "It's cool. I'm fine now."

"All right." He uses the back of her chair to push himself up. "If there ever is anything, just say the word.

"See you around, Rikki."

"Okay." She offers him a small smile. "Thanks, Steve."

He gives her the same smile back, picks up his duffel bag, and leaves the studio.

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