Steve wrapped his arm more firmly Bucky's shoulders in an attempt to be comforting and pressed closer with his upper body. "You STARTED several of them. And in trying to win the bets, almost caused Colonel Philips to have a apoplexy several times." His tone was fond and he began to kneed the back of Bucky's neck gently. "Of course you were part of the team. A vital part. It...it wasn't the same after you...fell. The army higher ups tried to assign someone to replace you but we would have none of it." He still missed the Howling Commandos sometimes though it comforted him that they had all led full, rich lives after the war. He had the Avengers now of course, but they weren't the same (and he didn't expect them to be the same).
He let out an amused snort. "And I wouldn't expect you to." Even if it wasn't 'normal', Steve liked the closeness too much to give it up now, no matter what anyone else said. And Bucky hardly cared what other people thought.
Maybe they'd been doing it the wrong way all this time. They'd been trying to integrate Bucky into the team through the normal non-work activities like meals and movies but Bucky had saw them as events to be endured rather than to be enjoyed. Steve had to admit that Bucky might never be comfortable in social settings again but he'd settle for a civil working relationship between Bucky and the rest of the Avengers for now. The rest could come later. Steve nodded. "I'll have you added formally to the rosters. And...you said earlier that you weren't really part of the Avengers right now. But that's yours too, right now, if you want it."
Steve had a feeling that he was articulating the opposite point Sam wanted him to make. His hand slowed in its kneading motions. "It's not revenge you know. Just...I want you to feel safe. And know that they're the past and can't hurt you any more. That I'm here now this time, when I wasn't before. Alright?"
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He let out an amused snort. "And I wouldn't expect you to." Even if it wasn't 'normal', Steve liked the closeness too much to give it up now, no matter what anyone else said. And Bucky hardly cared what other people thought.
Maybe they'd been doing it the wrong way all this time. They'd been trying to integrate Bucky into the team through the normal non-work activities like meals and movies but Bucky had saw them as events to be endured rather than to be enjoyed. Steve had to admit that Bucky might never be comfortable in social settings again but he'd settle for a civil working relationship between Bucky and the rest of the Avengers for now. The rest could come later. Steve nodded. "I'll have you added formally to the rosters. And...you said earlier that you weren't really part of the Avengers right now. But that's yours too, right now, if you want it."
Steve had a feeling that he was articulating the opposite point Sam wanted him to make. His hand slowed in its kneading motions. "It's not revenge you know. Just...I want you to feel safe. And know that they're the past and can't hurt you any more. That I'm here now this time, when I wasn't before. Alright?"