[CLOSED TO disassembling] - Something in the air?

[whatsfondue]

As Steve sat on a bed in the medical wing of Stark Tower, he wondered if there was something in the air these days that he and Bucky were trading off being injured from month to month. First there was Bucky's leg injury, then he'd been lost in the jungle for a week, followed by Bucky's issues with his arm and now he'd been hit by something of HYDRA's in the last mission to end up like this. This, being the effects of the serum seemingly to have disappeared entirely, leaving him with his pre-serum body and its issues. Tony had gaped at him on listening to Steve's laundry list of medical issues before demanding 'how the hell did you survive into adulthood?' They'd all known he'd been sickly as pre-serum but apparently it had never sunk in as to how bad it actually was. He had to admit it did sound bad on paper but he'd live (mostly) fine for twenty-one years in that body and he'll deal with it today.

At least seventy years later modern medicine has developed far enough that they had medicine to help alleviate some of the symptoms of the worst of his body's poor health. The shots he'd been given and the huge amount of pills laying on the side table was proof of that. Tony was talking about developing some sort of bubble to keep him safe. He appreciated the thought but firmly vetoed that idea. The entire team wanted him to stay in the Tower where JARVIS could monitor his health twenty-four by seven. That he also tried to argue against; he 'd lived alone after his mother's death in this body until the day he joined the army, there shouldn't be any problems with him heading back to his far more upscale apartment.

He scowled darkly and started planning his escape. JARVIS would no doubt tell on him the moment he left but there were still one or two things he could do to make sure he at least got a head start. And once he was back in his apartment, it'll be hard to move him back.

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[disassembling]

He watched Steve, not certain that he could agree that one of his favourite places was off limits when he really wanted to. He thought that they were both skilled enough to make the fort work even when Steve was back to normal. They just have to press closer together or find the few positions that would work. "Is this going to be a secret just between us then?"

Slowly, he drew his legs up and under the covers and lay on his side facing Steve. He propped his head up with an arm and narrowed his eyes at the insinuation he didn't have the skills to make any situation work. "It would work. I can prove it to you."

[whatsfondue]

Steve paused, thinking about it. This wasn't like back in the thirties and forties, when being with another man would get you arrested or worse. He'd never agreed with it; unless it was actively hurting someone else people should be able to love who they love. "I'm..not going to lie if someone asks me directly about it, but I'm also not going to be shouting it from the rooftops either. It's really nobody's business but our own." He said slowly. "Well, it's up to you whether you want to tell people or not."

Steve settled himself underneath the covers as well, close Bucky because it was feels odd to sleep apart even sharing the same bed now. He sighed. "I know you can. But doesn't mean you should."

[disassembling]

He relied heavily on Steve for social nuances and how to behave, but he also knew that information was important. He wasn't certain if this kind of information would be of interest to others, but he had learned from watching the Avengers that the paparazzi were very strange in their interest. "I don't... have anyone to tell," he said softly. "Do you think it would make that funny paper that Tony reads for laughs?"

He lazily reached out and settled his arm lightly across Steve's hips, still watching his friend settle in. "The only limitations should be what you can and cannot do because of an impossibility."

[whatsfondue]

Out of all of them Steve recognized that Tony was the one with the most experience dealing with the public and media, even if sometimes he didn't approve of the exact way Tony handled them. He winced at the idea of paparazzi finding out of this because he can imagine the ruckus that it'll cause among them. They'll never get any peace in public again for a long time. "It definitely will make ALL the papers, not just the gossips rags." He's long since cased to understand why they were so interested in every detail of their private lives.

That comment got a laugh out of Steve. "Very philosophical." He teased leaning forward to give Bucky an affectionate peck on the forehead. "But...I know you really like the cushion fort. That's why we shouldn't. It should stay a simple, safe and happy place for you."

[disassembling]

The only reason that he had anything to do with the media was avoiding them when he left the Tower or watching as they seemed to buzz whenever an Avenger was spotted. He was very private, mostly because of his current trust issues and years of being hidden by HYDRA. "Why is it so important to the media and everyone who your lover is?"

He leaned into the kiss with a soft sigh, shifting towards Steve so they were close enough to feel the heat from one another's bodies but not in direct contact. "It's my current favourite place," he admitted. "Your bed is very nice too, even if we don't use it much. Perhaps we shall start now that the fort is off limits."

[whatsfondue]

Steve was as private as Bucky, simply because it was just in his nature to. However, as much as he'd like to, he couldn't avoid the media every time. It was good PR to speak to them sometimes, and to build up some good will with them, especially whenever something got broken when the Avengers fought some threat back. "Puerile curiosity mostly, it seems like." He answered with a sigh. "And so it sells and hence the media want to know."

"Not tonight." Steve said, stiffling back a yawn and snuggled a bit closer, closing his eyes. "I'm tired and want to sleep."

[disassembling]

He didn't think he would understand the fascination regardless of how much he had observed it from the shadows. He would keep things private to avoid it getting anywhere it shouldn't, and he wouldn't tell the Avengers either in case it got back to someone who would let the cat out of the bag. Better to be cautious.

He nodded, letting his head off of his hand and down on the pillow. He curled his arm around Steve's slim waist protectively and didn't oppose sleeping. It had been a long day. "Rest and I will make sure we are safe."