[ That's what Bucky needs to hear. That they're similar, that they want to be more than what circumstances made them. Bucky knows a little about Stark's history from what Steve has mentioned, or T'Challa briefing him before sending him out with supplies and some advice, but there's so much more between the lines that speaks volumes.
Bucky hears the faint pleading of Maria Stark, but has to force that memory away. He looks up to Tony and nods once. ]
[Tony's bad at accepting gratitude. It's funny because he likes to do things for people - grand, stupid gestures, whatever comes to mind - but it's painfully awkward when they thank him. He just wants people to take his gifts and be happy in a way that he can't quite manage.
And he's not sure he deserves Barnes's gratitude yet. Agreeing to do something isn't the same as actually having any success.]
You'll have to stay here; can't have you wandering around the city. Sorry about that, but- [Surely he understands.] You'll have your own floor, free use of the gym, whatever you want. I'm actually getting ready to move everything upstate, to the compound there, so. Uh. That'll happen too, I guess.
[Since he doesn't think this'll be resolved anytime soon. Luckily, he has more than enough room in both places; he's just rattling around these days. The company, such as it is, might be good for him.
(Although he fully expects Barnes to spend most of his time here avoiding him.)]
[ Bucky's mouth tightens- out of one cage and into another. Part of the reason he came back was to immerse himself in the city, to go down to Brooklyn and see what's changed, what hasn't. Are there neighborhoods still standing? Bakeries or delis? What about churches or parks? Any of these things could be crucial to recovering his past.
But now he's being told he can't wander, and even as practical as the instruction is, Bucky chafes at it. He can't help but look a little crestfallen. ]
Look, Barnes, if it were just up to me, you could go wherever the hell you want. But you're kinda at the top of every most wanted list, and with your face being plastered everywhere, it's doubtful even you could avoid notice for long. And, frankly, I don't want to have to clean up that mess. Might even land me in jail, and that would inconvenience me for at least a few hours.
[And in spite of his flippant tone, Tony isn't sure that even his lawyers could get him off the hook with a treason charge. He'd probably need someone like Peggy Carter.]
I don't know yet. I'll have to make a few calls, see what I can do with BARF. Although if you can make Happy stop complaining about his voicemails, that'd be a good start.
Happy, he's- well, he's one of my employees. And a good friend. I put him in charge of keeping an eye on Parker - you know, the kid with the spider costume? Turns out Parker likes to leave him these long, rambling voicemails about all the things he's doing in Queens. Helping little old ladies cross the street, returning stolen bikes, stuff like that. Happy won't stop complaining about it.
[He's not sure how he feels about it, either. But at least the kid's sticking to small-time stuff, nothing too major. Not that Tony thinks that luck will last for long.]
What? [Tony looks horrified for a moment because he's leaping to what he really hopes is the wrong conclusion. (Look, the guy's an ex-assassin.)]
I mean, if you happen to leave the building, which I'm telling you not to do [and they both know he'll sneak out] you could keep an eye on the kid. Make sure he doesn't get in over his head. Just...without letting him know about it.
Not like there's a whole lot of trouble in Queens, but- [Something like that.]
Although, for legal purposes, let me state that I'm in no way suggesting that you should do anything that might jeopardize your, uh, already precarious legal standing. [In other words: don't get caught. Although, really, Tony's pretty sure that Bucky could outsmart the entire NYPD with one hand tied behind his back.]
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Bucky hears the faint pleading of Maria Stark, but has to force that memory away. He looks up to Tony and nods once. ]
Okay.
Thank you.
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And he's not sure he deserves Barnes's gratitude yet. Agreeing to do something isn't the same as actually having any success.]
You'll have to stay here; can't have you wandering around the city. Sorry about that, but- [Surely he understands.] You'll have your own floor, free use of the gym, whatever you want. I'm actually getting ready to move everything upstate, to the compound there, so. Uh. That'll happen too, I guess.
[Since he doesn't think this'll be resolved anytime soon. Luckily, he has more than enough room in both places; he's just rattling around these days. The company, such as it is, might be good for him.
(Although he fully expects Barnes to spend most of his time here avoiding him.)]
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But now he's being told he can't wander, and even as practical as the instruction is, Bucky chafes at it. He can't help but look a little crestfallen. ]
Alright. So what do I need to do?
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[And in spite of his flippant tone, Tony isn't sure that even his lawyers could get him off the hook with a treason charge.
He'd probably need someone like Peggy Carter.]I don't know yet. I'll have to make a few calls, see what I can do with BARF. Although if you can make Happy stop complaining about his voicemails, that'd be a good start.
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He listens to Stark explain, then shifts in his own seat again. Sorry, Tony, that nickname is just the worst. ]
...wait, who? What voicemails?
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[He's not sure how he feels about it, either. But at least the kid's sticking to small-time stuff, nothing too major. Not that Tony thinks that luck will last for long.]
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[ But-- oh. The Spider-kid. Bucky remembers. You have a metal arm? That's awesome!
Bucky had been too surprised by the kid's strength at the time, too surprised by the fact a kid was fighting him. ]
So, you want me to make him stop calling?
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I mean, if you happen to leave the building, which I'm telling you not to do [and they both know he'll sneak out] you could keep an eye on the kid. Make sure he doesn't get in over his head. Just...without letting him know about it.
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[ Just so he's clear.
And he would only think about sneaking out. Maybe. Probably.
Ahem. ]
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Although, for legal purposes, let me state that I'm in no way suggesting that you should do anything that might jeopardize your, uh, already precarious legal standing. [In other words: don't get caught. Although, really, Tony's pretty sure that Bucky could outsmart the entire NYPD with one hand tied behind his back.]
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I won't. Just tell me what I need to be doing right now.