diadem inbox

[brandingproblem]

Inbox

073 - 1129

Voice — Text

"It's Clint; you just missed me. You know how this ends."

Code Source

Comments

[americassed]

[ Oh. Well, that explains the unimpressed-slightly-on-edge stare he just got from the shop clerk. Immediately, Steve puts the box down and raises both his hands defensively.

To the shop owner with a small apologetic smile: ] It was just a joke.

[ Then, to Clint: ] Can't say I've never had my fair share of guns pointed at me recently.

[ He's already leaving, though. ] Let's go.

[brandingproblem]

You're adorable. And we both suck at reading jokes through text. [Clint bumps shoulders with Steve.]

So. Is that the real deal, or did you paint a trash lid?

[americassed]

[ The edges of Steve's lips curl up into a wider, amused smile. His cheeks also color a little because, wow, that was embarrassing. ]

We really do suck. [ Though he'll argue that Clint's way better than him when it comes to jokes.

Lifting his shield, though, he nods. ] But yeah, this is the real deal. Hard to believe at first when we found it in a diffusion zone a couple of weeks back.

[brandingproblem]

Weird that it just kinda fell out of the sky, but hey, same as the rest of us, right? At least it's good news.

[americassed]

We actually found it in an empty mansion just sitting in its living room.

[ Of all the places for it to be. At least, it's not on the chocolate river floating with the bloated corpses. ]

Speaking of good news, we could really use some right now. How have you been faring? Stock up on supplies?

[brandingproblem]

I mean...should've been killed, wasn't, so that's something. Couple times, if I'm honest. Being alive's usually good news, so. Sorry if you felt anything...weird or alarming, lately.

[americassed]

[ It’s true, being alive is good news. He won’t discount that. At this point, they really have to count small wins whenever they come across them.

While walking, he gives Clint a brief once-over, gentle blue eyes roaming over his friend. ]

It’s okay. Was just worried during those times but I know you can handle them. [ He knows about Clint’s feelings about being rescued all the time so while he was Very Concerned, he wanted to give his friend space. ]

Still pretty weird how we can do that. Feel each other, I mean. [ Clears his throat. ] Have you had strange dreams lately?

[brandingproblem]

[Clint glances aside at Steve, then shrugs his shoulders.] If we're talking about it, you know I can't speak for Frank.

[americassed]

Wouldn't want you to.

[ That specific dream was A Lot. But it's also not the only dream he's had where Clint's in it. But that's too intimate and personal and he won't talk about it, even if thinking about it does color his cheeks a little. ]

I guess dreams are just that: dreams. [ Nothing more, nothing less. They're disturbing, sure, but. Sometimes they can be too invasive. ]

Can get pretty weird.

[brandingproblem]

...You been having some other dreams, then? [He doesn't need any connection to know there's more to it. He's got eyes, after all.]

[americassed]

[ He clears his throat, the blush on his cheeks only reddening. ]

Kind of. Nothing important.

[ He'll attempt to pivot. ] Probably because of my connection to you of some sort. There are far weirder things in this place. [ Nailed it. A+ ]

[brandingproblem]

And did you want to talk about those, orrrr dreams?

[americassed]

[ There's a moment of silence on Steve's end as he ruminates on what the answer to that question should be. On the one hand, he does want to talk about it, no matter how much he has decided he won't. On the other, it feels like something that's too intimate, too personal, for them both.

But the thing is, Clint's someone he can trust. A good friend. He doesn't think it's fair for him to keep his mouth shut about this when it's a dream his friend's also in. ]

Remember when we got too close and personal under the mistletoe? [ He's oversimplifying it. Many things happened then. ]

Well, [ He swallows. ] I've been having dreams of- [ Inhales. Exhales. ] Let's just say of intimate moments between you and me ever since that incident.

[ See? That wasn't so bad. ]

[brandingproblem]

[Clint's eyebrows hit his hairline.] Yeah, and remember when I suggested that would probably happen and you could tell me or not tell me about it if it came up?

[But that's...dismissive, and he shouldn't do that. It's more than that. He huffs a sigh out his nose.] Look, neither of us can undo what happened. I can't take away whatever guilt you've got about it. You know I don't blame you, but that's not enough for you to stop blaming yourself.

[americassed]

[ Yeah, he's probably feeling a lot more guilty than he's actually letting on and everything's manifesting in his dreams whether he likes it or not. Add to that is his empathy bond with Clint and it's a recipe for waking up hot and bothered.

He breathes out a sigh, blue eyes glancing at his friend. The corners of his lips curl up a little. ]

I don't think I'd ever stop blaming myself, but- [ He frowns a bit, his small smile turning a bit lopsided. ] In my dreams, we both want it. At least, in them, it's different.

[brandingproblem]

...Feel like it changes things, when you sleep with someone you're bonded to. Just haven't quite figured out how, yet.

[Frank very adamantly did not want to talk about it. Promised he would sometime, but Clint's willing to give that a wide berth at this point.]

Gets...interesting. When you're feeling things from someone else.

[americassed]

Interesting's one way to put it. [ Awkward, another. ]

Well, we didn't get that far, but I guess that's why my dreams conclude it. Always taking it there. [ Like an unfinished business of sorts. ]

For our sakes, I hope we can figure out how this works.

[brandingproblem]

You got some experience in that? How many--uh. [Hm. You know what. Maybe 'how many people were involved' is an awkward question.] Was there anyone else? There? Feeling things out from anyone else?

[americassed]

[ Shit. Well. There goes his cheeks. Bright as a ripe tomato. His forehead creases as he swallows. Tries very fucking hard not to look at Clint. ]

In my dreams with you, it's just the two of us.

[ However, he knows he's also been having dreams about Bucky that are equally steamy, and something tells Steve it's more than just him dating his fellow centenarian. It's also because he's bonded with him, too.

But that's even more personal. ] We do a lot of things, though.

[brandingproblem]

No, I meant-- Sorry, when you said my saying interesting was a word for it, I thought you had...

You know what? Nevermind.

[americassed]

[ Steve lets out a small, amused huff, turning back to Clint. ]

No, go ahead. What did you mean? I feel, at this point, we can tell each other anything.

[ Sure, Steve. ]

[brandingproblem]

Uh. Just. Thought you meant you had first-hand experience. Sleeping with someone you're connected to, or several people connected. Not just dreams.

[americassed]

[ First-hand experience? Oh. With someone he's connected to? Oh. RIP Steve's pale Irish skin, you're now bright red.

Steve coughs, clears his throat, and did he really say they can tell each other anything? Is it too late to back track that a little?

No, he's going to stick by his word, no matter how awkward this feels right now. ]

I have.

[ And just as he says those two words, he instantly thinks of Bucky and the times they've done The Deed. So maybe Clint doesn't have to ask who it is, because Steve's feelings for people don't really come muted. They're usually intense, platonic or not. Fact of the matter is, sure, he's in love with Bucky but he's also horny for the man. And mixed with his horny dreams of Clint, well. Does this mean he's just horny right now? Did it suddenly feel a bit hot? Jesus. ]

[brandingproblem]

O...kay. Good. I mean--at least I wasn't misinterpreting you. [And Steve is very red and very awkward about it. So! Okay! Good for him! Good for him. Wait, talking about 'I dream about us fucking' isn't too awkward, but 'I have slept with someone for real' is?]

We don't have to talk about any of it. If you don't want.

[americassed]

Right. Yeah.

[ Yup, he doesn't want to talk about it further because knowing he's connected to Clint might unearth some feelings. So he's thankful that his friend doesn't seem to know, or feel, whatever he's feeling right now. Good. Good!

He clears his throat again and will try to pivot so his face will return to normal. ] Just wanted to see how you're doing, if you're alright. See if I can help in any way. I feel I haven't seen you in a bit.