notrosecolored | Duplicity Contact Post

True, but that isn't how we operate.
So why?

Because I don't trust you.

You don't even know me.

I don't trust people I don't know, Rogers.

My knee jerk reaction to you is based on someone you aren't. I know that. It isn't fair. I don't like my own reaction there because it isn't fair. I can push it aside most of the time.

But my starting position isn't trust.

And what about Nate? Do you trust him enough to make his own decisions?

I want to do what I can to help people.
This is the easiest way without causing too much trouble for everyone involved.

I trust Nate to be Nate. I am smart enough to realize he's going to do whatever the hell he thinks is a good idea, no matter what I think about it - and that any protest on my end is going to make him dig in harder.

That's a non-answer, Scott. Trust is always earned.
I'm doing what I can to understand the situation here. Even if it's not easy, I need you to meet me in the middle.

Meet you in the middle of what? Who we are? The shit in the city? Nate? All of it? Something else?

All of it.
Whether you want to believe it or not, we're on the same side.

Where are you?

My apartment.

[ And he'll send the address just in case, even if that is a bit ominous. ]

Is Nate there right now?

[ He might be a little ominous sometimes but he's not really plotting violence. ]

No. Should he be?

[ Steve still doesn't know what this is about. ]

No. I'll be there in five minutes.

[ And he is. No shoes, just socks, because he lives in the building. Short-sleeves. Jeans. Glasses instead of a visor.

And knocks on the door with... authority? If a knock can be authoritative.]

[ Well. This is... something.

He hadn't thought they'd ever meet in person, and when Steve opens the door, he just looks at Scott for several long seconds as he takes him in. Or maybe he's trying to see if there are any noticeable similarities between him and Nate. He isn't sure. Either way, Steve eventually moves and makes room for him in the entryway. ]

You wanna come in? [ No point asking who he is. ]

[ The most striking similarities are that they're both tall and long limbed -which isn't all that obvious given Scott's heavier build and bulkier muscle these days, and their eyes. Which on Scott are obviously not visible.

His glasses being reflective surely isn't strange at all.

He takes a second or two to take Steve in, looking for differences between him and the man he knows as Captain America. There really aren't many.

He steps inside, pulls the door closed behind him.]

Yes.

[ One word, then he grabs Steve by the shirt - well hooks his fingers into the collar, steps in without warning or preamble and kisses him hard. Not with teeth, not violently, just a hard, abrupt, kiss.

Better than puching?]

We aren't enemies. That doesn't mean we're on the same team, Rogers.

[ He really doesn't know much about this man at all, and given that he can't see his eyes... Steve frowns in those seconds it takes for Scott to get inside, a little slow on the response when Scott grabs him by the shirt and drags him in for a kiss. It holds long enough that his lips part, brain scrambling to catch up from being so caught unaware.

When it happens, Steve presses a flattened hand to Scott's chest and shoves him back. Hard enough to be felt. Hard enough to push him back against the door he's closed. ]

You could have just told me that in a text.

[ His voice is low, not angry but confused. ]

Look. [ There's authority in that word. Some people just respond better to it. ] I know you don't like me. And whatever this other version of me did to you – I'm sorry that happened.

[ Steve wishes he understood, but he doesn't. He doesn't even think it's his place to ask. ]

But we need to work together here.

No.

[ It's pretty flat and without much in the way of inflection. ]

Not only do we not, we can't and we aren't going to. That isn't because of what another version of you did, but because what you are doing and demonstrating here.

[ He isn't angry at all, just very direct. ]

And I could have told you that in a text, but since the last time I tried that it didn't sink in, it seemed like it was time to up the ante and the directness.

[ Steve appreciates direct, but even that can get lost in all the context. ]

Meaning what exactly? [ He has to consider their other conversations, what had happened since then. ] I'm not asking you to be involved. Everyone here can make their own choices.

[ There's no point trying to convince him of anything when he's already made up his mind. ]

[ Scott's feelings and conflict in them sharply spike around that statement. He's frustrated at himself - and Steve, and the city.

It only shows in his jaw and shoulders tightening and a few seconds of silence.

Then he very, very deliberately removes that tension. Relaxes his body physically and just... shoves it all away from him in the space of one forced, deep breath. ]

Not only can everyone here make their own decisions, they will; Nate isn't likely to listen to anyone trying to tell him what to do any time soon.

I'm here because what seems to be your objective, at least in this, is also mine. I'm not your enemy and I don't want to be. Your methods are exactly opposed to mine right now and that feels like a threat. I'm trying to move past you feeling like one.

And that was never going to happen with text.

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