[ As she moves off, Steve mutters a little giddily:] Is that what I was doing?
[ It's easier than confronting what just happened, or thinking about the look on her face and her hand on his cheek. Simpler than the question of who on earth she is.
He tries to will himself to do something, to prioritize and find next steps, and he can't until she speaks again.
Stand down.
Steve straightens sharply, looking up at the wall to see the way Bucky watches her. He moves between them, one hand up in Natasha's direction, one facing Bucky, like he's directing traffic.
Please stop.]
You said no orders. [Under his breath, directed at her. He tries to ignore the burn of stomach acid, the rancid feel of his breath. Up toward the wall he says:] We should conserve ammo for now. We don't know when we'll get more, and the gate's secure. If it's... [He wavers. That sound. That awful sound.
Not right now.] It's probably quieter inside. We can't stop them all, Bucky. Not like that.
no subject
[ It's easier than confronting what just happened, or thinking about the look on her face and her hand on his cheek. Simpler than the question of who on earth she is.
He tries to will himself to do something, to prioritize and find next steps, and he can't until she speaks again.
Stand down.
Steve straightens sharply, looking up at the wall to see the way Bucky watches her. He moves between them, one hand up in Natasha's direction, one facing Bucky, like he's directing traffic.
Please stop.]
You said no orders. [Under his breath, directed at her. He tries to ignore the burn of stomach acid, the rancid feel of his breath. Up toward the wall he says:] We should conserve ammo for now. We don't know when we'll get more, and the gate's secure. If it's... [He wavers. That sound. That awful sound.
Not right now.] It's probably quieter inside. We can't stop them all, Bucky. Not like that.
[He points to the weapon.]