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[deaddrop]

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[endofcompliance]

It is.

[But there wasn't much left to it, but to be teased mercilessly.]

[There's a level of gratitude, that she would even think to say anything on his behalf, even if it wasn't for him, and yet, at the same time....]

It's okay if he thinks of me as a threat. If he's prepared. [Pause. Very heavy pause as he looks down at his mug.] In fact, it might be safest if he did.

[His eyes lift to Natasha's.] If most people did.

[Did he want to be one? No. Did he want to be seen as one? No. Was he under any illusions in Hell, though? Also no.]

[deaddrop]

I'm sure you believe that. I, on the other hand, think that would be incredibly inconvenient if we ever want to work together.

[Which is more in question now than it might have been previously, but that's an angle Natasha is still working.]

Believe me. This is a conversation worth having.

[endofcompliance]

Natasha....

[He sighs, licks his lips and his eyes wander away for a second. He hadn't told anyone, for obvious reasons. But she had confided in him, perhaps it was time he told someone. Why not her?]

I shouldn't be a threat, anymore. But when we were infested with those Mares. [Yeah, he's looking at the table again.]

I was the Winter Soldier. Again.

[deaddrop]

[Natasha crosses her arms, presenting the image of five feet three inches of stubborn resolve.]

That could happen to anyone. We're in Hell. Whether or not it's the real thing, you're not the only one with monsters in their head that could be let out. That's not even touching on things that could make people act outside of their normal personality.

[endofcompliance]

I know. [Her stubbornness wins her at least Bucky looking at her once more.]

There needs to be a way to stop me.

[deaddrop]

So we'll find a way to stop you if it happens.

[At least that's something. She still doesn't back down.]

But having someone ready to put you down if you step out of line while we're sparring isn't going to accomplish anything.

[endofcompliance]

[Bucky gives out a dark, single chuckle to that.]

It won't just happen while we're sparring.

[He goes more serious, instantly.] There are these words. Since they're part of my nightmares, the Mares knew them. They said them.

They shouldn't even work anymore. Not after Wakanda. Shuri helped me. Fixed me. Gave me control again. But this place is that powerful. [His nightmares, his fears, are that powerful. And he's aware of how much trust he's just given her.]

[deaddrop]

[Some of that Natasha already knows. Not the details. Nothing so exact. But the broad strokes—she's heard some of it from Steve, seem some of the video.

She saw him after his time in Wakanda, which spoke volumes itself.]

I know that it is, but you're not saying anything that disputes my point. If you lose control, it will be because of an outside influence.

I consider that not an active threat.

[endofcompliance]

[He manages a small smile at her determined outlook, and feels a little more secure in having confided in her.]

Then you understand I'm no threat in the middle of a spar. I'm not going to just randomly go off. [He manages a little smirk.]

As long as you don't bite.

[deaddrop]

[That's better. Her stubborn posture relaxes somewhat.]

I believe that. Wouldn't be there if I didn't.

[She's not that reckless. Probably.]

I make no promises about biting, though.

[endofcompliance]

[Another chuckle, lighter.]

At least if you bite, the results won't be destructive. Just have to call the spar off early.

[His mug is long forgotten, and he's just staring at her, watching her movements, her face, her eyes. Maybe that conversation with Fitz ran too long.]

[deaddrop]

Have you considered that if I bite it's possible the spar's already gone too long?

[endofcompliance]

That's how you plan to stop them going forward?

[deaddrop]

Not stop them. Just... divert the direction.

[Obviously she doesn't want them to stop.]

Now that I know the effect it has on you.

[endofcompliance]

[He smirks to that.]

So, to alert me when you're ready for other things, then?

We can probably wrap this one up pretty quickly too.

[deaddrop]

Maybe just my way of keeping things interesting.

[She answers his smirk, her chin rising a tick in a playful challenge.]

Yes, agreed, or ftb they go off to have fun

[endofcompliance]

You seem fond of that.

[His chin rises in response.]

that's also good

[deaddrop]

Hm. You know, I might take that as a compliment since I'm not not trying to do anything.

[endofcompliance]

You sure you're not trying?

[He gives her a teasing smirk. Regardless of her, or his, intentions, his mind keeps going back to where the whole conversation with Fitz put it.]

[deaddrop]

Could be it's a natural talent.

[She smiles, moving closer to him—touching his jacket.]

You don't think?

[endofcompliance]

I think you're very clever.

[His eyes flicker to her hand.]

You need this one, too? [He's not moving to get out of it right that second, but....]

[deaddrop]

[Natasha nods slowly, her lashes half lowering to shade her eyes. Clever. She'll take that.]

Maybe I should try it on and see?

[endofcompliance]

Just try it on. [He only manages a mild warning tone to his voice. It's a lie, of course.]

[He pulls away from the chair he's in so he can slip out of it, taking his time, as he hands it to her.]

[deaddrop]

[Natasha takes the jacket and drapes it over her shoulder rather than putting it on.

Instead she eyes his shirt as though she might ask for it next.]

Maybe we should take this somewhere more private.

[endofcompliance]

[She looks at his shirt, and he raises an eyebrow, smirking a little.]

We should.

[He gets up after that.] And I thought I was only getting mugged.