gotta get down for a mingle

[redactions]

Who: The crew of the SS Heron and visitors.
Broadcast: nope.
Action: Aboard the SS Heron.
When: After returning to the ship.

[ finally back on the right ship, except the corridors are all mysteriously cold and the ship seems smaller. Thanks, Atroma. New crew, visitors, starters in comments ]

Comments

[reconstitution]

Don't turn him away.

[ Please don't cast away your best friend because I can't get control of myself. Jim needs Steve in much the same way that he needs Peggy. Winter wants Jim to be happy, first and foremost.

He'd like to eventually remember Steve on his own, but not much has knocked itself loose. It frustrates him. It was so easy the first time.. All of it had just clicked. ]

[redactions]

​[ His eyes don't close and his breath doesn't shake but Jim doesn't need either of those indicators to know the Winter Soldier is bleeding for him. ]

What are you afraid of?

[reconstitution]

I'm not afraid.

[ Anxious. Restless. Waiting for the other shoe to drop or something else to happen.

I don't want to be in the way is what he almost says. He knows he very well isn't, logically. ]

[redactions]

Then, what is it?

[reconstitution]

I don't know how to explain it.

[ He leans back against the wall, letting out a frustrated huff. ]

Not thinking clearly. Just ignore me.

[redactions]

No.

​[ It comes out a little petulant, and Jim swallows. ]

We'll give it time, then, okay? No rush.

[reconstitution]

Yessir.

[ It's easier to agree and avoid an argument for later. Give it enough time, and it'll be forgotten. Slowly, his head tips toward Jim's shoulder. ]