[ It's been a long, long time since Steve's life has been anything approaching normal, and so he finds that he doesn't miss it as much as plenty of his fellow Avengers might. Even if he'd had a fairly uneventful childhood, his physical state back then had still made everything a struggle. Sometimes he does reflect on how those were simpler days, and of course he misses the easy friendship that had existed between him and Bucky, something that never had to be questioned by either of them, but Steve's had plenty of opportunity to accept that he can never return to that time.
Even so, he will take these sorts of moments where he can get them, especially now. A fleeting chance to chat with a friend while making dinner, something so down-to-earth and mundane that he knows it could never last. That doesn't mean he can't enjoy it in the here and now, though.
There's a few little tells that Steve can't help but pick up on, though he can't really hold it against Sam. He can feel the way that Sam's gaze runs over him, up and down, cataloguing everything from how he's holding himself to his posture. It's true that this particular excursion didn't lead to any combat, meaning that Steve's in as decent shape as he can be considering their situation. Given how cagey he can get about how he's feeling, Sam's had to resort to these methods. Steve could apologize for how difficult he can be (at the moment, he's got the self-awareness to do that), but he knows it would only make Sam that much more frustrated at him. So, better to just let that moment pass in silence.
He does smile, if only briefly, as he notes the way that Sam adds more chicken to his pile, tripling the portion because he knows how much Steve can put away. It's been particularly inconvenient in their current situation, when sometimes all they get to eat is vending machine or convenience store food, but tonight will be a treat. When it comes to safehouses, this is one of the nicer ones they've stayed in. Even with all of their worries weighing them down, it would be a waste not to make the most of the little time they have here.
At Sam's question, he scoffs out a laugh and shrugs one shoulder. ] When you're desperate, maybe. [ He's also had way too much train car food, but it all beats the rations he used to have to choke down during the war. He's told Sam and Natasha about that plenty of times already, though.
While Steve isn't thrilled about being benched, and shoots Sam a look at that little tease that makes that abundantly clear, it's not like there's much to be done for it. And Sam's already cheering him up, so better not to dwell. At the mention of sweet tea, his eyebrows lift up with interest and he immediately heads over to the fridge. Sweet tea had been a fairly new concept to him, growing up in New York, but he has to admit that it hits the spot sometimes, despite the sheer sugar level content being a little terrifying.
He grabs the jug and pours them both a generous glass, dropping Sam's off on the counter next to him before settling in at his side again.
After a sip, he remarks, ] You're a regular handyman. Well, I guess the upside of being benched is now I don't have to worry about you dying of boredom. [ He bumps Sam's shoulder with his own. And then, after another sip: ] This is great, by the way.
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Even so, he will take these sorts of moments where he can get them, especially now. A fleeting chance to chat with a friend while making dinner, something so down-to-earth and mundane that he knows it could never last. That doesn't mean he can't enjoy it in the here and now, though.
There's a few little tells that Steve can't help but pick up on, though he can't really hold it against Sam. He can feel the way that Sam's gaze runs over him, up and down, cataloguing everything from how he's holding himself to his posture. It's true that this particular excursion didn't lead to any combat, meaning that Steve's in as decent shape as he can be considering their situation. Given how cagey he can get about how he's feeling, Sam's had to resort to these methods. Steve could apologize for how difficult he can be (at the moment, he's got the self-awareness to do that), but he knows it would only make Sam that much more frustrated at him. So, better to just let that moment pass in silence.
He does smile, if only briefly, as he notes the way that Sam adds more chicken to his pile, tripling the portion because he knows how much Steve can put away. It's been particularly inconvenient in their current situation, when sometimes all they get to eat is vending machine or convenience store food, but tonight will be a treat. When it comes to safehouses, this is one of the nicer ones they've stayed in. Even with all of their worries weighing them down, it would be a waste not to make the most of the little time they have here.
At Sam's question, he scoffs out a laugh and shrugs one shoulder. ] When you're desperate, maybe. [ He's also had way too much train car food, but it all beats the rations he used to have to choke down during the war. He's told Sam and Natasha about that plenty of times already, though.
While Steve isn't thrilled about being benched, and shoots Sam a look at that little tease that makes that abundantly clear, it's not like there's much to be done for it. And Sam's already cheering him up, so better not to dwell. At the mention of sweet tea, his eyebrows lift up with interest and he immediately heads over to the fridge. Sweet tea had been a fairly new concept to him, growing up in New York, but he has to admit that it hits the spot sometimes, despite the sheer sugar level content being a little terrifying.
He grabs the jug and pours them both a generous glass, dropping Sam's off on the counter next to him before settling in at his side again.
After a sip, he remarks, ] You're a regular handyman. Well, I guess the upside of being benched is now I don't have to worry about you dying of boredom. [ He bumps Sam's shoulder with his own. And then, after another sip: ] This is great, by the way.