armeyets: fatws. (pic#14805021)

[personal profile] armeyets 2021-07-31 05:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[ "i don't want to hurt you" is the truth, but he can already guess how that would be received: not well. it would sound patronising, condescending, implying she can't actually hold her own in a fight, when that's not really the point.

i don't fight for fun is closer to it. compared to alexei's boisterousness, armwrestles and wrestling in general and cheerful tackles in any sport, bucky tends to hold himself apart. in the end, he settles for:
]

I just got off a redeye flight, coming back from a mission. Had enough fighting today. I'm tired.

[ there's something thoughtful behind his eyes, though, and it's easy to suspect that that isn't the whole truth โ€” not exactly โ€” but it is at least part of it. ]
armeyets: fatws. (pic#14842482)

[personal profile] armeyets 2021-08-01 12:56 am (UTC)(link)
Rain check.

[ but he doesn't want them to part on this off-kilter, semi-tense note โ€” he already finds himself missing their more amiable back-and-forth โ€” and so after a moment bucky adds, like a parting gift, or an olive branch: ]

I'll practice my footwork for you before then, Belova. Gotta make sure I don't step on your toes.

[ there's that small half-smile; apologetic, almost. ]
armeyets: misc. (pic#14767602)

wrap or yours to close!

[personal profile] armeyets 2021-08-01 09:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[ bucky trails her to the exit, eventually propped against the doorway, shoulder and hip leaning against the doorframe as she steps out into the clamour on the balcony, the noise of the city swallowing them both back up. he's a hugger when he's finally comfortable with someone โ€” pulling sam into it, arms clapping against shoulders โ€” but they're not quite there yet, so he just watches her movements as she laces up her boots. the graceful turn of her shoulder, trained like a dancer; her laissez-faire ease with everything. ]

Good night, Yelena.

[ using her first name for the first time in a while, and contemplative as he watches her go, smoothly clambering over the railing and disappearing back into the night. ]