savingthrows | Inbox for ximilia

[It's the morning after they got back from the last mission. And while he knows he made Eleven a promise of waffle mountains and camp outs, after everything that happened during their last mission, he's had to put that on hold. At least temporarily.

So instead, there's a box left outside her tent for when she returns. Inside, there's a few bags of pre-made waffles, along with a note explaining how to reheat them. Next, is a new friend for her, even if she doesn't have the context behind it. And finally, something more her size. Not that he's planning on asking for his own jacket back. He's already claimed a temporary replacement. And, if she checks the pockets, there's also a folded up note waiting for her:

Hey, Eleven

I'm going to have to take a rain check on our plans for a while. Some stuff came up that I need to take care of first. But the second I can, I'll be coming to see you. If you need anything before that, you come find me. I don't care what it is. I'll be there.

Sorry for cancelling on you like this. I wouldn't have done it if it wasn't important. And I promise I'll make it up to you as soon as I can.

Bucky

And that's it. Sorry, kiddo, but he has a best friend-slash-something he needs to focus on for a while.]

[ The day after leaving this care package with her, Bucky will find a response. A folded note with very rough, childlike handwriting on it. The note is placed carefully atop a single walkie talkie. It's a different make and model than the one Eleven has - but they can attune to the same frequency, that's what matters. The supply drop finally got her a second one.

She still doesn't like the earpieces.

The note reads: ]

Dear Bucky
You don't have to check for rain inside, silly.
If it's important, I forgive you, because you didn't lie.
Thank you for giving a promise. I know it's a thing you can't ever break.
You can say hi on the walkie talkie, when you're lonely. But you have to say "come in" and "over". I can teach you if you don't know how.
.-- . / -.-. .- -. / .- .-.. ... --- / -- --- .-. ... .
Eleven

[Well. Guess who's going to start carrying a walkie talkie with him from here on out. He might need to see if he can rope Tony in to making some kind of a case for it, considering what he gets up to on missions. But for now, he keeps it clipped to his side. When he's not using it, of course.]

Hey, Eleven. This is Bucky. Come in.

[Because what use is having a radio if you don't use it?]

This is Eleven. You didn't say over.

[ The answer comes immediately. And while Bucky cannot see the eye roll, it somehow transfers through the walkie talkie. Clearly, he's a rookie at this and she has to teach him. This is why Bucky is under her protection. He needs so much help. ]

Over.

My mistake.

[Because he's not going to call her out. She's a kid, and he's more than happy to play by her rules]

Have you ever eaten something called jambalaya before? Over.

[ She might even believe him. Eleven's world can be simple like that - corrected by someone she likes? Eleven will accept that, adapt, and learn from them. Someone she doesn't like? Eleven will reject what they're saying, because they're a stupid mouthbreather. Obviously. ]

No. Jam-bah-...

[ She tries, slow and concentrated, but the word's too different and she didn't quite manage to pick it up. There's a soft huff, a small noise that's like the little brother of frustration. Eleven doesn't like not knowing words. Doesn't like not knowing things. ]

Is it. Jam? But more?

Jam. Buh. Ly. Uh.

[It's a kneejerk response to sound it out slowly. A bittersweet memory of helping Becca with her homework all those years ago is the cause.]

It's a rice dish, with meat and vegetables. It's pretty good.

[And a better choice than living off of waffles all week.]

Jam. Buh. Ly. Uh. Jambalaya.

[ And she repeats it, sounds it out for herself. The result sounds a little more like jambulayuh than the actual word, but it's close enough. She nods to herself, satisfied.

But then... ]

It sounds healthy.

[ Unconvinced. She knows healthy food - Hopper's attempts at vegetables are horrid. And back at the lab... she doesn't want to think about that, honestly.

And then a small gasp. She completely forgot - Mike would slap his forehead for her poor form on the walkie talkie. ]

Over.

[Nope. He's not laughing at her. But he's definitely amused.]

I wouldn't exactly call it healthy. But it's tasty.

[And if she doesn't like it, he's got no problems finding her something else if he has to.]

You want to come get some lunch with me? Over.

Okay. I trust you.

[ It almost sounds like a warning. Don't you go feeding her soggy vegetables now, Bucky Barnes. She will be cross with you if you do that. ]

Yes. No rain today? Over.

[ And that makes her happy. She's taken a shine to Bucky. ]

[...well. He doesn't know what to do with that statement. She shouldn't be trusting him!]

What rain? Over.

[Yeah, easier to focus on that part.]

[ Shouldn't have given her clothed, Bucky. Shouldn't have fed her. Shouldn't have been kind. Now she's a little duckling, content to follow you around. Life is hard like that. ]

You said. You had to check on rain. For the waffles. That something was important? Over.

[ What even is a raincheck, anyway. ]

Oh.

[Okay, no. That has him smiling to himself. He should know just how literal she takes things by now.]

A rain check is kind of like a promise to do something later.

[Though also-]

A friend of mine needed some help. But spending time with you is important to me too. Over.

[ Idioms are hard, but his explanation helps immensely. So Eleven nods, even though Bucky can't see it. ]

A rain check is a promise. To do something later.

[ She parrots him - and just like that, she adds it to her list of truths about the world. Congratulations Bucky - you have influence over this child. ]

Friends are important. [ Sage wisdom. ] I understand. If you want. I'll protect your friends, too.

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