action | party mingle

[seeingscarlet]

Who: Wanda, Bucky, and you!
Broadcast: No
Action: Iskaulit
When: March 10

[It's a double birthday party! There's pizza with slightly strange cheese and cake. And probably shenanigans.

...definitely shenanigans.]

Comments

[outstandingbalance]

[He's not wrong that she'd be able and willing to help him throw a birthday party for Steve. If the opportunity arises.]

You think I'd embarrass one of my best friends?

[Yes. The answer is yes.]

And I wouldn't say I sing karaoke. I'd say there's been times when people have engaged in it for fun.

And when that happened, I may have let myself be talked into it.

But it's not a hobby.

[Important distinction.]

[stillgotmyleftarm]

I think it'd be an insult to us both for me to say no.

[So - yes. Yes, he thinks she would.]

Not everything has to be a hobby.

[But that does not change the fact that he would absolutely 100% like to see her sing karaoke.]

Besides, working out isn't a hobby, either. [It's pretty much her job.]

[outstandingbalance]

Well... you're not wrong.

[But only in good humor. Not really embarrassing.

She's always sure Steve is laughing with her.]

And working out is a hobby if you enjoy it. Especially around here.

How often does a girl get the opportunity to spar with super soldiers and aliens?

[She says it flippantly; that still sounds like her job, doesn't it?]

[stillgotmyleftarm]

[Bucky's on board with that. There's a line between embarrassing someone in a good way and a bad way. He will never be the kind of person who does the latter.

Of course, he snorts at that, because,] I'm pretty sure the answer to that question is more often than it really should be, Romanoff.

Speaking of which. My schedule's wide open if you ever wanna give it a go.

[Color him curious, okay.]

[outstandingbalance]

As long as you think you'd be able to keep up. [The answer is a wry, soft deadpan. She has a pretty good idea how things would stack up between them in a fair fight.

She's not intimidated by that.]

I'd be more than happy to give it a go.

[stillgotmyleftarm]

[Bucky's grin is small, but lopsided.]

I think I might stand a good chance. And there's only one way to find out.

You just tell me where to be, and I'll be there. Not like there's a whole lot of other duties that need my attention. I've got wrangling Steve down to a couple hours a day, max - although it's harder from a different ship.

[outstandingbalance]

I'll message you sometime when I'm free. Or you can just hang out around the gym enough. I show up there on the regular, so.

[So it's an easy place to run into each other.]

[stillgotmyleftarm]

[Bucky chuckles a little.] It probably says something about me that I'm probably planning to hang around the gym plenty, too.

[But he'll keep both options in mind, really.]

I look forward to it. Winner buys the other a drink?

[It's more fun with a little motivation involved, he thinks.]

[outstandingbalance]

See, now I believe you think I'll win.

[Amusement warms her voice and shades her smile, for a moment looking less tired than she has recently.]

It's a deal.

[stillgotmyleftarm]

That's how it's supposed to work, right? Assume you'll kick my ass until proven otherwise?

[He grins.]

[outstandingbalance]

Could be. Not the tactic most people take, but...

[It's probably for the best to have a healthy respect for Agent Romanoff, all things considered.]

It doesn't mean I'll go easy on you.

[stillgotmyleftarm]

[That is definitely a thing Bucky has learned.]

You'd better not. I want that drink to be worth it.

[outstandingbalance]

You sound like you already know what you want. [Teasing, still.] Should I guess? A beer? Or more of a whiskey man?

[stillgotmyleftarm]

I mean, who am I to potentially turn down a free drink?

It depends on the day. And the workout. But I'm thinking whiskey.

What about you? Vodka, or is that too obvious?

[outstandingbalance]

I'd say that's a stereotype, but I have too much vodka on Vanquish right now to say it with a straight face.

That said... depends on the day.

[stillgotmyleftarm]

[Bucky shrugs good-naturedly.] Sometimes you've gotta take the stereotype and run with it.

Hopefully it'll be a good day, either way. Honestly, I'd usually much rather spar against someone than hit a bag, anyway. Way more engaging.

[The only times he really prefers hitting the bag are the times he wants to break something.]

[outstandingbalance]

A lot more likely to hit back. Given the chance.

[Her tone is light, half teasing. Maybe more than half.]

Though I probably shouldn't pick on you, since its your birthday and all.

[stillgotmyleftarm]

Just like the actual bad guys, [Bucky points out, not bothered at all.]

Really? It's that easy? I would've thought you wouldn't make exceptions for birthdays. That's good to know.

[outstandingbalance]

Oh, it's a trade off. I don't pick on you about fighting. I pick on you for being a hundred years old.

A hundred and one, even.

[stillgotmyleftarm]

You know, I actually ain't a hundred yet. It's only 2014.

For me. [Bucky smiles helplessly.] If that gets me off the hook.

[outstandingbalance]

If we count the years you were in the ice, we can count the years you haven't actually lived through yet too.

[stillgotmyleftarm]

Now that seems downright unfair.

[Like he expects Natasha to be fair.]

[outstandingbalance]

If a spy wants to keep up with all these super soldiers and gods, she can't fight fair.

[stillgotmyleftarm]

I think by definition, spies probably aren't allowed to fight fair, huh?

Although I might point out, my serum ain't the same quality stuff as Steve's. I could get drunk if I really tried, even before I found whatever space booze they serve here.

[outstandingbalance]

I wouldn't say not allowed. Not encouraged.

[Not if you want to survive, at least. Though if she really has a sense of self-preservation she might avoid these fights entirely.]

So this makes you a better drinking buddy is what you're saying?