[There is a voice urging him in his head that Howard isn't himself. Getting angry will only alienate him. That word makes him see red after everything that happened with Bucky. His response is low and angry. There is a warning there to tread carefully.]
[Wrong answer. In a flash, Steve has a fistful of that suit clenched tight in his fist. He pulls Howard a little closer in case his point isn't clear enough. You don't talk to him like that. You don't talk to anyone like that.]
You're not yourself so I'm gonna let that one slide. Let's get one thing clear: I am not your agent or asset. If you're half as smart as your usual self you'll keep every awful thought running through your brain right now to yourself. Understand?
[It sends chills down his spine. If he weren't so angry that Howard thinks he's the same kind of monster as Pierce he'd want to scream that this is wrong. You're not like him. You would never turn people into weapons. Steve sucks it up. His grip on Howard's clothing tightens.]
People are being messed with. They're not acting like themselves. We're not sure what the cause is yet. [It's said carefully because he thinks for that brief amount of time that he could snap and throw him into a wall for using that horrible word.]
In case it wasn't obvious already, you are the one with the problem. I've never listened to an order that I didn't agree with and you're usually first in line to make sure I get away with that.
[You're usually first in line to make sure I get away with that. Something flashes in howard's eyes.
laughter.
Later. Much later, he'll sob about this and apologize. He'll apologize forever because this feeling like he's wading in a river of slime, king of the slime river...
Yet he knows it has to be done.]
And where has it gotten you. Maybe this is for the better. where has my helping you break rules gotten you Agent? Agent Rogers?
[This is worse than dealing with Schmidt, Pierce, and every other maniac he's crossed paths with. He could beat them bloody, put a gun to their heads, and it could be done. Howard is his friend, he cares for him, so hurting him is out of the question. That doesn't save Howard from some rough treatment. Steve yanks him up and slams him against the nearest surface. He refuses to be treated this way; to be tested by the other man. Maybe he's just that angry to be asked that at all.]
This is not for the better. What we had before someone screwed with your head is.
[He reigns his anger in just enough to add pleadingly.] I'm your friend. A part of you has to know that no matter what you're thinking right now.
[He's going to be sick. The fact that he can't see even for a second how wrong this is disgusts Steve. All Howard can see is something less than human slipping outside his control and it scares him. Steve hates that he has to use that. It's wrong, but he's not the only super solider around here that Howard knows about. Steve has to protect the other one.]
I'm not your toy solider. You can't control me.
[Very deliberately he catches Howard's dominant hand with his free one. He latches onto his anger, that need to protect his beloved friend, and lets it darken his features. He would do anything for Bucky. He lets Howard see that even knowing that when it came down to it, he could never bring himself to harm Howard Stark. Intimidation definitely, knocking him out if he became a legitimate threat maybe, but never deliberately harm.]
You're going to stay away from James Buchanan Barnes or whatever you think he's called because if you don't I will break every bone in this hand. Have I made myself clear?
[He doesn't like the way he says that. Suddenly, he's all too aware of how bad he is at playing this game. It's his only card though so ever so gently squeezes Howard's hand.] You didn't answer my question.
I'm trying to remember someone named Barnes. [but the moment there's any additional pressure he'll just whimper] Apart from your buddy! Your buddy I can stay away from him.
[Just like that Howard is released. There's only so much of this he can stomach. It helps greatly that Howard at the end of the day is an engineer. There's little he can do to harm people directly. All the same Steve will have to warn people and get a second opinion on what to do. He doesn't think clearly when it comes to his friends. He knows it.]
We're done here. [He's turning to go. Steve can't stand the sight of him right now.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2014-08-12 05:32 am (UTC)Excuse me?
no subject
Date: 2014-08-12 05:34 am (UTC)I'm the one that should ask for an excuse. Speaking to me like this. Me of all people.
Would you prefer Agent? I'll humor you this once.
no subject
Date: 2014-08-12 05:44 am (UTC)You're not yourself so I'm gonna let that one slide. Let's get one thing clear: I am not your agent or asset. If you're half as smart as your usual self you'll keep every awful thought running through your brain right now to yourself. Understand?
no subject
Date: 2014-08-12 05:50 am (UTC)....Let me go or there will be hell to pay.
You're usually compliant.
no subject
Date: 2014-08-12 06:06 am (UTC)People are being messed with. They're not acting like themselves. We're not sure what the cause is yet. [It's said carefully because he thinks for that brief amount of time that he could snap and throw him into a wall for using that horrible word.]
In case it wasn't obvious already, you are the one with the problem. I've never listened to an order that I didn't agree with and you're usually first in line to make sure I get away with that.
no subject
Date: 2014-08-12 06:09 am (UTC)laughter.
Later. Much later, he'll sob about this and apologize. He'll apologize forever because this feeling like he's wading in a river of slime, king of the slime river...
Yet he knows it has to be done.]
And where has it gotten you. Maybe this is for the better. where has my helping you break rules gotten you Agent? Agent Rogers?
no subject
Date: 2014-08-12 06:24 am (UTC)This is not for the better. What we had before someone screwed with your head is.
[He reigns his anger in just enough to add pleadingly.] I'm your friend. A part of you has to know that no matter what you're thinking right now.
no subject
Date: 2014-08-12 12:48 pm (UTC)...I've never thought clearer fella. There's nothing wrong with me.
no subject
Date: 2014-08-12 03:11 pm (UTC)I'm not your toy solider. You can't control me.
[Very deliberately he catches Howard's dominant hand with his free one. He latches onto his anger, that need to protect his beloved friend, and lets it darken his features. He would do anything for Bucky. He lets Howard see that even knowing that when it came down to it, he could never bring himself to harm Howard Stark. Intimidation definitely, knocking him out if he became a legitimate threat maybe, but never deliberately harm.]
You're going to stay away from James Buchanan Barnes or whatever you think he's called because if you don't I will break every bone in this hand. Have I made myself clear?
no subject
Date: 2014-08-12 05:54 pm (UTC)He looks at his hand, aghast - before he stares back at Steve]
....Barnes.
no subject
Date: 2014-08-12 06:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-08-12 06:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-08-12 06:32 pm (UTC)We're done here. [He's turning to go. Steve can't stand the sight of him right now.]
no subject
Date: 2014-08-12 06:34 pm (UTC)