Outside MCA #4, Tuesday Evening

[shapethecentury]

Bucky was getting pretty okay about maneuvering his daily life with just the one arm, and yet situations could still very much catch him off-guard with how much easier they would've been to get through with two.

Like, say, right now: he had a six pack of generic beer in a bag that was hanging off the crook of his elbow, and he was balancing a family size pizza box with his hand. So far so good, he'd made it from town all the way to Jesse's door without dropping anything, or sending the pizza careening all around in its box.

Just, now that he was at Jesse's door, what was he supposed to knock or ring the door bell with? Without setting any of this crap down, that was.

"Jesse?"

He didn't have faith that calling for her through the door would work, but he was still gonna see if he got lucky. Less of a hassle if he did.

[ooc: For the lady with the two hands, natch.]

Comments

[weirderthanthou]

Was that a muffled sound outside the door? Jesse had just managed to... somewhat clean up all the newspaper clippings and tape, or at least shuffled it into her guest room where it wouldn't be so front and center. She was now in the living room, and that was... a noise.

Was that James?

She frowned at the door.

[shapethecentury]

"Jesse? It's me."

That was going to be the last attempt. Would've helped if he'd been more willing to raise his voice, but...

Bucky and unnecessary attention didn't really mix.

[weirderthanthou]

... You know, she might as well check.

Or would that be weird? Ugh. I need to stop second-guessing everything.

Jesse crossed the couple of feet to the front door and opened it--

"Oh, I knew I'd heard something."

[shapethecentury]

"Sorry," Bucky said, with something of a huff. "Big pizza."

Explained everything, right?

[weirderthanthou]

"Should I get you a bag next time?" Jesse asked, amused.

She reached for the pizza.

[shapethecentury]

She was more than welcome to take it.

"Got a bag," Bucky said. "But it was for the beers."

[weirderthanthou]

"Like a big backpack," Jesse said, a little more sincere. "Something that fits on both your shoulders."

[shapethecentury]

"I had one of those," Bucky replied, as he tilted a little questioning gesture with his chin. He could have just stepped in, he knew it, but... Trying out this normal, polite human thing. "Got left behind in Europe."

Steve had gotten the contents back to him, though.

[weirderthanthou]

"We'll get you a new one," Jesse said.

She stepped aside. "Come in."

[shapethecentury]

So Bucky stepped inside, with a little nod.

Agreement? Thanks? Acknowledgement? Pick your favorite.

[weirderthanthou]

Jesse reached past him to close the door. "Well, you know where the table is," she said, faintly amused. "Might as well crack open a beer."

[shapethecentury]

"Got cans, at least," Bucky offered, as he turned the correct way for said table, yes. "Easier with the arm."

He'd thought about that but not the knocking. Priorities.

[weirderthanthou]

"How are you adjusting to it?" Jesse asked. She set the pizza down on the table, then pulled up a chair.

[shapethecentury]

Bucky shrugged, right before maneuvering the bag onto the table as well, then digging the sixpack out of it.

"Lifting things is a pain."

[weirderthanthou]

"Well, let me know if you need any help with anything," Jesse said, looking up at him. "I mean. I don't mean you need help right now. I just... don't want to assume, so here's my 'feel free to ask if you do need it' permission slip."

[shapethecentury]

"I've got it," Bucky said, absolutely still talking about right now - getting one of the cans out of the plastic thing, cracking it open - even though she'd specifically said she wasn't.

But she already knew help was complicated for him.

[weirderthanthou]

"I can see that."

She made a very strong effort not to smile.

[shapethecentury]

Would've been fine if she had.

Especially since Bucky didn't seem to be paying attention in the first place. He repeated the process with another can, getting so far as almost setting it down in front of her before hesitating, visibly.

[weirderthanthou]

Jesse-- reached for the can. "Thanks."

[shapethecentury]

"Thought maybe I should've asked," Bucky said, by way of explanation.

Half apologetic.

[weirderthanthou]

"I like beer," Jesse told him, amused. "Thank you."

[shapethecentury]

"Still," Bucky said, with half (a quarter of?) a shrug, then finally pulled out a chair for himself.

[weirderthanthou]

"I forgive you, James," Jesse said (had some fondness crept in with the amusement). "It was hard, but I got there."

[shapethecentury]

Bucky didn't look amused, just quiet.

"I don't want to assume," he said, as he sat down heavily.

[weirderthanthou]

Jesse's smile softened. "I know," she said.

She took a sip of the beer. Demonstrative? Maybe, but only a little bit.