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[compelledtoprotect]

This is Steve. Leave a message.

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[swordofzero]

Okay. Thank you.

[It doesn't take long, he knows the way to Steve's room well by now and he knocks politely on the door before stepping inside as instructed.]

Steve?

[compelledtoprotect]

In the kitchen! Come on in!


[The apartment was full of the scent of cooking meat and steaming vegetables. There were a tiny cake on the counter, something he'd bartered with the demons for to make sure there was a decent dessert. Main meals he was fairly good at, but the sweet things still mostly escaped him.]


Wash your hands and come help?

[swordofzero]

[He was used to Steve's flat by now, so he made his way to the kitchen with ease, surprised at how much was already prepared.

Maybe he shouldn't be surprised, it was Steve after all. He washed his hands silently and made his way over.]

What do you want me to do first?

[He does well with clear instructions, outside of that cooking is a mystery still.]

[compelledtoprotect]

Would you mind cutting the bread? And then set the table?


[He smiled over his shoulder at the kid, stirring something on the stove. It was gravy for the steak and potatoes, something he didn't make all the time.]

[swordofzero]

Of course. [He could do both and he found the bread and a knife with ease, he was used to Steve's home by now. It was still a strange feeling, but not a bad thing.]

Is it just us two? Or shall I set a place for Bucky as well.

[compelledtoprotect]

[Steve was humming softly as he finished up the meal and paused, looking thoughtful.]


I'm assuming it's just us, but it wouldn't hurt to set a place just in case. I'll make him a plate either way so it won't hurt having it sit on the table till I need it. That's really sweet that you thought of him Suzaku. I'll let him know.

[swordofzero]

He lives here. [So it was only natural he would eat here.

Suzaku always felt slightly awkward around Bucky, who was far too nice to him considering everything. But he nodded, not sure what to think about Bucky being told he had thought about him.

He was quiet as he set up the table, luckily he's eaten at Steve's before so knows how it is done here. Far less formal than any time he had to set a table before he came to hell.]

[compelledtoprotect]

Mmm.


[The sound Steve made was agreeable, but it was a little complicated. True, Bucky did officially live in the suite, but it wasn't quite that simple. Rarely did Steve make things simple.

He brought the food over to the set table and spread it around before gesturing Suzaku to sit with a grin.]


Have a seat Suzaku, then I'll serve.

[swordofzero]

[Ah it seemed he had trod on something complicated. He doesn't ask, just obeys and sits down as he lays the last pieces of cutlery down.

His posture is perfect as always, sitting rigid at the table, watching Steve as he begins to bring the food over.]

[compelledtoprotect]

[When he sat down and started to dish up the food, Steve smiled at the boy.]


You can relax you know. And you can ask questions if I don't explain something. Nothing's off limits, just so you know.

[swordofzero]

I know. [He knew, but it was hard to follow through on. He didn't like to pry. After all if there were thing Steve kept back it was possible because it was too painful, too difficult to talk about.

And Suzaku knew that feeling very well.]

Is Bucky alright? [It wasn't quite the question that he wanted to ask but it was close, a stepping stone.]

[compelledtoprotect]

[Steve paused and then finished serving them both.]


I assume he's fine. I mean, in general. There doesn't seem to be a disaster in progress at the moment, so it's pretty safe to assume he's healthy. But I'm guessing that's not really what you mean?


[He sighed and poked at his food.]


It's complicated. I make it complicated. I also make it awkward. I'm . . . I'm kind of a problem, but I'm trying to do better. It really is all my fault.


[Which was probably as clear as mud.]

[swordofzero]

[It wasn't really what he meant no, and he was already regretting asking the question. He hadn't meant to pry, if this was something Steve didn't want to talk about.

But at the words he frowned, looking at his plate for a moment.] You're not a problem. I doubt it is all your fault.

[Steve was strangely nice, and he could see why someone like Bucky would struggle with that, same as Suzaku himself did. But that wasn't exactly something bad, something Steve should feel guilt for.]

[compelledtoprotect]

[Steve gave a soft huff of a laugh and actually took a bite of food.]


No, it's pretty much all me. And it really is complicated, from my side. And Bucky's just not the type to push, especially when he sees I'm struggling with something. I need to talk more to him, but half the time I don't even really know the problem . . .


[He sighed. Steve was doing better with that. And they had talked and cleared some things up, he just wasn't sure he'd gone far enough. Not that Suzaku was in any way to blame! He looked up at the boy with a sheepish smile.]


Sorry. That still doesn't explain a damn thing. Just know it's nothing you've ever done or could do. And I'm sure Bucky likes you just fine. He's such a sweetheart, just like you.

[swordofzero]

[Steve really has a unique way of seeing people. Suzaku would not call Bucky a sweetheart. He was kind, he was similar to Steve in that and he was loyal. But sweetheart?

Suzaku definitely wouldn't consider himself such either.]

You don't have to explain. But if you... If you ever want to talk about it I can listen, even if I don't understand all of the situation.

[He was not the best conversationalist but he could listen and sometimes having someone to vent to helped.]

[compelledtoprotect]

[Steve reached across to touch Suzaku's arm, smiling.]


Thanks Suzaku. It means a lot. Now, eat your food, hmm? We can talk between bites.

[swordofzero]

[He bowed his head.] Yes Steve. [Hell has slowly beaten the formality out of him but he still says his name like it is an honorific.

He begins to eat, it really is delicious, Steve's food always was.]

[compelledtoprotect]

[Steve just sat there looking happy as he started to clean his plate.]


Were you always so formal Suzaku? I mean, when you were a little kid, did you still sit so straight and proper?


[He was teasing, but only a little. Mostly Steve was just curious. At the moment it felt safe to try and ask questions, so he did. It might be a mistake, but he had to try.]

[swordofzero]

[He was quiet for a moment, as he finished the mouthful he was eating. But he had made a promise to try and be more open and it wasn't like anything about his past was a secret. On the contrary there was so much that people back on his world knew about him already, that he never had to explain.]

Yes. [He nodded.] My father was the Prime Minister of Japan until his death at the start of the war. There was a level of formality expected from me even when I was small. [Even before the army.

Not that there hadn't been many times when he had been not formal at all as a child, he had been trouble in many ways.]

[compelledtoprotect]

Oh.


[That was . . . so sad.]


So what did you do for fun back home? Before the war? I mean, I assume you did have at least a little fun?

[swordofzero]

I suppose I did. I enjoyed martial arts and video games... I stole a car once. I wasn't the... I wasn't always an obedient child.

[It feels so long ago, that summer.]

[compelledtoprotect]

You stole a car? Seriously? Even me and Bucky never managed that! We did get a joyride on a horsecart once though. Probably one of the last in New York, but we managed to ah . . . borrow it for a few minutes. Boy did we get whipped for it too!


[It was a happy memory, one of the ones he cherished, and Steve smiled.]

[swordofzero]

We got into a lot of trouble for it. The car was one of my fathers, we... borrowed it from the garage. I had played some racing video games and so I believed I knew how to drive. [He can imagine a younger Steve and Bucky grabbing a horsecart.]

It sounds like you were quite the pair.

[compelledtoprotect]

As long as you didn't kill anyone, I'd say it was a success. Who else was there with you?


[Steve flushed and ducked his head for a moment.]


We were holy terrors. Did all kinds of things we shouldn't, but it was all in good fun. We were brothers and I dragged Bucky into some of the stupidest things . . .

[swordofzero]

A... friend of mine. His name was Lelouch. He and his sister were sent to live with us. They were Britannian royalty and they were sent as... hostages. A promise that Britannia wouldn't invade. It was a lie though, they invaded anyways, they didn't care about a disgraced prince and princess.

[He shook his head.] We clashed at first but then we became friends. It didn't matter to us, all of those adult politics. I never spent much time around other kids so it was nice to have someone my age.