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[punchedhitler]

[A standard message comes on, with the same tinny recording of someone who hasn't set up their voicemail]

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Beep!




[ooc: THIS POST IS NOW DEFUNCT. Kindly use the one above!]

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[latenightfondue]

[ He stops, then, an odd sort of look on his face, hand on Steve's arm to turn him towards him.

Is he going to catch him out on the lie? ]

So y'think we're related? I mean it's possible.

[punchedhitler]

Have you asked Tony?

[latenightfondue]

See, that's what Bucky said I should do, and don't get me wrong, it ain't like I've not tried to. But it's kinda an awkward topic to bring into things.

[ But he smiles now. ]

Thought I'd check with you first, 'cause, I mean, if y'know something you're the last person who's gonna lie about it.

[punchedhitler]

[Steve's face. OH GOD WHY.]

....you really should talk to him.

[latenightfondue]

If you think it's the best to do, I'll pay the guy a visit. And how bad could it be, discovering a long-lost cousin?

[ He stops at the coffee shop, gets his wallet ready, because everyone needs coffee. That topic seems to have come and gone. ]

Been meaning to talk to you about something else, anyway, might wanna show me this spot you've got for somewhere quiet.

[ Poor Steve, everyone knows it's bad when Howard stops to consider privacy on sensitive topics. ]

[punchedhitler]

[Oh thank go-

Wait.

Steve nodes and gets his coffee, and walks him to an isolated spot in Xanadu]

What's up, buddy?

[latenightfondue]

[ One hand keeps a firm hold on his own coffee, the other rests awkwardly on Steve's back, and he guides them to the bench nearby. ]

Been wondering for a while, now, and I ain't been sure how to put this, so I'm gonna throw it out there. What's life without the risks, huh?

[ It's cruel, in its way, but he doesn't know so much as he's guessing, and he knows if he puts it out there then Steve's reaction won't lie. ]

I know about you and Bucky Boy, Steve.

[punchedhitler]

[Steve takes a moment, to mostly look away into the distance.]

What do you know?

[latenightfondue]

[ He checks around them even though there's no one within hearing distance, lowers his voice as if even he knows it's a sensitive subject. ]

You guys ain't just friends, are you?

[punchedhitler]

[It takes a long moment.]

Is it that obvious?

[latenightfondue]

You know me, pal, I ain't exactly one to notice what y'might consider important things, but I've had my suspicions for a while.

[punchedhitler]

[He nods.]

Do you want-

What does that mean to you?

[Freddy is from a time where it's okay, but Howard isn't.]

[latenightfondue]

[ He takes a moment to watch him, see the panic there. ]

Y'mean do I see you any different to how I did before?

[punchedhitler]

Yes.

[latenightfondue]

[ He huffs a laugh, as inappropriate as it is, and shifts closer, drapes an arm around Steve's shoulders and gives him a playful tug. ]

'Course not. You're still the best thing I ever created, and you're the best guy I ever had the pleasure of meeting. But you gotta be careful with that stuff, it don't matter to some who the hell y'are, if they don't like what you're doing...

[punchedhitler]

[There's a sudden release of tension from Steve's shoulders, because Howard's opinion is something he holds highly]

You won't tell anyone, right?

[latenightfondue]

No one's gonna be hearing it from me, Cap, you've got my word on that.

[punchedhitler]

[He puts his arm around Howard, then, friendly.]

You don't know what this means to me.

[latenightfondue]

[ The idea of being anything but okay with this is a strange concept to him, and he hugs Steve sideways, awkward and manly, and he doesn't care. ]

You worry too much. But if you guys wanna keep it a secret, you might need to have a chat with Barney.

[punchedhitler]

What did Bucky say?

[Steve looks a little confused.]

[latenightfondue]

It ain't what he said so much as how he goes about saying things.

[ He looks at him, wonders how serious a thing it is. ]

Guy never stops talking about you, buddy, and he's always so possessive.

[ He even admitted that he thought Howard was going to somehow replace him, but as a man of secret insecurities, he holds that part in. ]

[punchedhitler]

He thinks-

He's protected me his whole life. He doesn't know how to stop.

[latenightfondue]

I get that, pal.

[ Except that he really doesn't, never having had a close friend never mind one with a friendship like the two of them have. It's foreign to him, which is why he's fascinated by it, envies it in a way. ]

But if he thinks you're even remotely under threat, the guy don't know how to stop himself.

[punchedhitler]

You can't tell him you know.

[Steve puts his head in his hands. Why are there so many lies?]

[latenightfondue]

He's not gonna be pleased in finding out I know, huh?

[ The hints he put out there over the last while were enough to determine that from. ]