‎

The train ride here already sucked,  the Cyclone just made it worse…   

ID.  @MISARMD
            
            i do / not / pout .  
            
            *  natalya was defensive ,  as per usual in times of / actual / vulnerability .  she was nursing injuries ,  ones that left the super spy woefully out of commission --  another thing she hated .  the few who came to visit would find no answer from her ,  even through burner phone .  it was excruciating .  *
            
            . . .  how did you find me ?

✪ @widcwbites  || 
            
            " Your fine and my fine has historically been unaligned. Stop pouting. I know you don't need my help but that won't stop me from giving it. "

“oh, wipe that smirk off your face, james,” she replied with a playful roll of her eyes before holding the boxes out to the male, “i saw them while i was out shopping and i just thought they would be perfect for the both of you.” she had to try her best not to start laughing at the end of that sentence, but she kept it together. she just couldn’t wait to see his reaction to the matching sweaters she had gotten for him and alpine. and to make it to where he wasn’t *too* mad at her, she even included some homemade cookies. she was at least a *little* thoughtful.

✪ @cursedwithrage || 
            
            James raised an eyebrow, a subtle smirk growing on his face, " My birthday isn't till next year Kara. Is it my lucky day?"

/  cognac on @amerirons 

  *   dark

/  umm idk mission 

✪ @ONCECAPTAINS      ||  james rolled his eyes, allowing them to linger at the muggy night sky above them. what were his dreams worth when put up against the dreams of millions? it was a question bucky had wrestled with since this damn war started. he concluded that dreams weren't worth dying for but something HAD to be.  those millions had to be. if not, what were they fighting for? what would he die for?
            
            were his dreams worth surviving for? he didn't know a veteran who got a good night's sleep. there was a high probability that there wouldn't be any dreams left. 
            
            " long as I don't leave behind any ankle biters there's no use whining about it." the young man blinked, the first time he had since he took up this form of physical protest to her poking. she never knew how to let sleeping dogs lie. made sense why bucky was her only friend. he was more than content to be poked for the rest of his life however long that life would be. love is tolerance he guessed. 
            
            at her demand he rolled his eyes right back down to her, an unimpressed expression couldn't physically be pulled in any other direction. " definitely going to need more booze -- you look VERY distinctly different. " he smiled again. still, it didn't make it to his eyes. " few weeks," he shrugged it off, " definitely before hannukah. " bucky's eyes drifted to his ( stolen ) cigarettes and he exhaled sharply, " I'll be sure to warn them. " basic training for the holidays didn't make the sting any better. " I guess you could write me. time's runnin' out on me finding the gal of my dreams before the military grabs me. "

            ───────────
            ⁰⁰¹    @misarmd      ╱╱       
            ❪ID❫ ⸺ JAMES BARNES.
            ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ 
            
            
            
            ◜   ⍟    ¹      ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ᵃᵐᵉʳⁱᶜᵃ ᵈᵒ ⁱ ʳᵉᵖʳᵉˢᵉⁿᵗ         F͟I͟R͟S͟T͟ ͟A͟N͟D͟ ͟F͟O͟R͟E͟M͟O͟S͟T͟  ,   Nokwiski was hard to deter.  Everyone knew that,  especially Bucky.  The outburst only brings her closer,  face to face with a soon to be “Sergeant Barnes”.   She looks him in the eyes,  waiting for him to eventually crack    &     break⸺   They’re both stubborn,       &        two can play the game.     She should speak right now,  maybe even humor him and chuckle at his whining.   But she doesn’t.  She doesn’t have any plans of entertaining this nonsensical diversion.    Her palm settles against Bucky’s chest,  pushing slightly.  It was an attempt of redirecting his attention back to her.
            
            ❛    James Barnes,  you’re a bad liar.   You had a plan for yourself, an actual future and⸺   well now look at the mess you’re in.   Still cracking jokes about what ‘n who you’re trying to romance.     You’re no better than those broads either,  consider yourself one!     ❜       SHE STINGS AND SOOTHES ALL AT ONCE⸺       HER PALM LEAVES THE SIDE OF HIS CHEST,  SETTLING ON BUCKY’S SHOULDER.  She squeezes softly,  a half—hearted smile appears on her expression.   She fetches the cigarette packet that peers out of his pocket,  claiming it fit her own momentarily.     ❛    Can you at least look at me when we’re taking?   Pretend I’m a cigarette or a pretty lady.    .   .    When are you leaving?   Did you figure out yet?  Y’know I’d watch over your family for you.    ❜
            

✪ @ONCECAPTAINS      || "'m not scared!" he shot back, the outburst uncharacteristically sharp for someone as perpetually level-headed as him. Normally it felt good to be known so well. lately, it felt as though most only knew one version of him. one he unfortunately perpetuated but a version nonetheless. His father was ecstatic, telling everyone the son he raised had finally enlisted. that James was going to fight on his behalf now that his disability rendered him useless to the army. There was nothing he wanted more than to see his son in the uniform he wore, it was a desire he never failed to mention as long as Bucky could remember. If he had told his father he was drafted and not enlisted ... the disappointment might have him disowned
            
            With his father walking around screaming from the rooftops about how he's going to serve the country all his younger sisters hear is how their brother chose America over them. No one knew the truth, no one but Nokwiski, which didn't bother him but he didn't want her to see the severity of the situation either.
            
            "there's no women on the front lines," Bucky whined, throwing his head back and exhaling a dramatic sigh. he almost wished she hadn't followed him out here so he could have smoked his cigarette. / almost /. he'd never wish it for real. wasting this time misdirecting did take away from him sitting here and figuring out how his sisters would manage without him. As long as Nokwiski left the conversation not worried about him it'd be worth it. Maybe his father would marry that catholic seamstress who obviously fancied him. The girls liked her ... bucky didn't. She was everything his mother wasn't. All that work getting Della to understand Hanukkah down the drain. " the war is makin' all the broads fast and I'm leaving right as the gettin' is good. Maybe it's for the best, the one yesterday said twins ran in her family and girls run in mine. 'm not ready to be on the hook yet. I jus' want someone pretty to write."

✪ @ONCECAPTAINS      ||  " don't worry, I got your back, " bucky reassured, far too immersed in monitoring their surroundings than he was in her know-it-all-isms. all the passing glances the pair received was returned tenfold, if it wasn't for this damn limp they wouldn't even DARE to look their way. He had to straighten it out.  " don't forget, you're talking to the reigning champ!" bucky teased, flexing his arms as they walked and lightening the mood of the darkened alley. just a few more fights and he'd have enough money saved for his absence. nokwiski would be all gracious about it so he intentionally didn't tell her what he was putting aside for her. she'd just give it all back to his sisters -- three girls that had NO business making any financial decisions. nah, he had to give it to her mother with a couple of written letters. 
            
            he was strong enough to protect all of them and every night he put that to the test.  no matter how far away he was he still would find a way to. " hope your ma made that stew again tonight. nothing like getting nursed back to health after eating stew. makes me a really good patient. " he laughed a little too hard and instantly grabbed his ribs, " ow. " he knew nokwiski was right about most things she got onto him about the the timing of this point being proven was really poor. " how am I supposed to get onto you in these conditions?"

⠀    ⠀     ⠀ ⠀    ⠀     ⠀         ⠀    ⠀     ⠀ ⠀                               
                       THE FIRST THING SHE NOTICES IS THE SUBTLE LIMP HE WALKS WITH,   it’s clear as day.  At least to Nokwiski,  ever observant.   The fight from today must’ve taken more of him than she originally thought.     His knuckles are reddened,  sure to bruise by tomorrow.   If she was right,  there had to be a few more bruises that weren’t exactly visible.   It’ll all be taken care of in due time  (only if James wanted to cooperate tonight).    He was still moving notably fast for a battered man.   Classic Bucky.
            
            ❛   You’re limping.   And I’m assuming that’s not the only thing that got hurt tonight⸺  when we get back,  I’m expecting you to actually settle down and take care of yourself.   If it’s not me getting on your behind it’ll be your sisters.   Don’t be   /so stubborn/.    It’ll be your downfall, so don’t be dumb ‘n deny my help.    I think we’re almost home anyways,  hopefully.   It got dark all of a sudden.    .   ❜         

───────────
            ⁰⁰¹    @misarmd      ╱╱       
            ❪ID❫ ⸺ JAMES BARNES.
            ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ 
            
            
            
            ◜   ⍟    ¹      ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ᵃᵐᵉʳⁱᶜᵃ ᵈᵒ ⁱ ʳᵉᵖʳᵉˢᵉⁿᵗ      F͟O͟R͟ ͟O͟N͟C͟E͟ I͟N͟ ͟H͟E͟R͟ ͟L͟I͟F͟E͟  ,   she’s silent.     &&     There’s no protest,      no retort⸺   Nokwiski accepts the bold—faced truth in this matter.   She was bound to lose Bucky in one shape or form.   It could be the frontlines.   Trenches filled by collection of rotting corpses,   wet clothing    &&     lingering gas.   If war wouldn’t eat him alive,  the distance would end it between them.   Two letters each month would turn into one,  one turning into zero.             WHAT A GRIM WAY TO GO OUT.     NOKWISKI ISN’T EVEN SURE IF THERE’S HONOR IN DYING IN WAR,  it’s not like Bucky would feel the honor.     [    .      .      .    ]   She shakes the thoughts that haunt her,  instead she focuses on the boy next to her.   It’s a slight struggle to keep up with James’ pace, but it’s manageable.   The city dims around the duo,  Hell’s Kitchen’s nightlife slowly creeps to life.    THE GIRL IS FASCINATED.  If it wasn’t unease that settled into her mind.   A side of the city James denies her seeing,  perhaps a side of him he was hiding from her.

ID .  @misarmd 
            
            ❝  WHAT REPUTATION ?  ❞  natalya jests ,  nudging the other back .  it was nice like this ,  / easy / .  easy enough to pretend everything was normal && that they weren't some of the most dangerous assassins in the world .  she heaved a sigh ,  content with the scene before her && the company shared .  there were too many variables in their professional lives ,  so something like this ?  yeah -- she could get used to it .  it reminded her of steve ,  in a way .  him && his bleeding heart && yearning for the / simple / .
            
            ❝  SO WHAT BRINGS YOU INTO LITTLE UKRAINE ?  NEW YORK ISN'T LARGE BY ANY MEANS BUT COMING ALL THE WAY HERE && ESTABLISHING CONTACT / AGAIN / ?  MUST BE SERIOUS .  ❞  natalya prodded ,  though it was professional && not a house call .  it would have been had her home been fit for guests but there were bullet holes in her wall && shards of a glass coffee table .  the threat had been handled ,  obviously ,  but natalya had to pack up && leave asap if she didn't want to deal with fighting off more assailants .  dubai sounded nice this time of year && her stupid black cat was still yowling on her fire escape for food ,  little monstrosity .

✪  @widcwbites     ||
             James looked up just in time to catch the to-go bag, his instincts doubling as a sixth sense when it came to Daria's pancakes. a grin broke across his face as he tore it open. He hardly even considered fighting back against her playful jabs and was much more interested in his obscenely sweet breakfast [dinner!]. Eating was a pleasure, one he hardly got much enjoyment out of these days. Between high-stakes missions and the light meals he managed to fit in between them, the man yearned for decadence. Home-cooked decadence more than sufficed.
            
            "Pancakes without syrup are just plain flat biscuits n' believe me I had more than enough of that in the service." The contrariness in his voice was overshadowed by a low pleased grumble once he finally peeled open the to-go container. usually, he was much more on top of his manners but the sound leaving his lips was more organic than any other way to express gratitude.
            
            As he took a bite, he leaned back on the bench, savoring the food and more importantly the moment under fading sunlight. “Tell Daria I appreciate it. And you too, for putting me on her radar. I’m not sure if I should be flattered or terrified about her plans for me but if she keeps cooking like this I might just have to go with it.”
            
            He glanced over at Natalya, nudging her a little with his broad shoulder blade, "This sweet tooth—might ruin my reputation."

/   duh… #forthepeople 

@blackwidcw || honeyyy i’m homeee

/  I’m your uber driver…  GET IN.

/  That’s too bad GET ON