"You sure you don't just want a new one?" Tony asks conversationally, leaning his hip into a stainless steel counter as he snaps off his sterile gloves. He's just finished making a few routine upgrades and repairs on Bucky's arm, and he's not sure why he hasn't just installed a new Stark model instead. "I can make it look just like the real thing, y'know. Think about that for a sec. No more long-sleeves in July for you. ...No more looking like a biker-rally reject all the time-" Tony nods to the fingerless glove that Bucky's strapping back into place on his left hand.

"I thought I did want one, at first." Bucky shrugs, flexing the artificial fingers experimentally. The nicked metal whirrs and responds beautifully. He rolls this left shoulder, feeling the components shift smoothly underneath. "But I talked to Wilson about it. He thinks I'll still have issues even if I take the stupid thing off, so I might as well try living with it first-"

Tony abruptly flicks a quarter at his head and he snatches it neatly out of the air without looking; twirling it between the whirring fingers before smoothly pocketing it with a wicked grin. He knows it's a test and he's meant to return it, but he can't help antagonizing Tony-the-smart-ass Stark now and again.

"I'm puttin' that on your bill, Tin Man." Tony tells him from under raised eyebrows.

They both know Tony could honestly care less about money in any amount less than half a million dollars, but Bucky's going to return it anyway. He's no thief, no matter what else he's done.

"I was thinking, though…" Bucky continues, fidgeting with the coin in his pocket. "I'm not real crazy about the paint-job... It's kind of… Soviet-HYDRA-Assasin…-y." Tony raises an eyebrow at the description. "Think you could help me out?"

"What, you want like a sleeve tattoo on that thing? Maybe an anchor and pin-up girl?" Tony's grinning. "I think you want to ask Captain Boyscout on that one, Buckster, he's the artist of the group. Maybe he can draw you a little 'I heart Cap' to go on there someplace?"

"Cute. You're hilarious, Stark. Hilarious. No, I just want a better symbol than this bullshit." He gestures at the red star, still shining like a brand on his left shoulder. "I was kinda thinking... paint the star white, maybe on blue… have some red and white stripes around it…" He trails off, a little embarrassed. "Y'know… more like-"

"You want Cap's shield." He's a little surprised to realize that Stark isn't ribbing him. There's something understanding in the way he says it. It's just a statement of fact.

"Yeah…" Bucky grins, a little nervously. "It's the best symbol I can think of." He shrugs. "I started following Steve when he was just a little punk with too much mouth and not enough to back it up. Kept right on followin' him when he was a big punk with plenty to back it up and some kinda death-wish. Might as well stick to what I know, right?"

Tony's quiet for a few moments, but his lopsided grin says he's on board.

"God, you guys are adorable. Are all old people this adorable, or just you two geezers?"

Bucky shakes his head.

"I swear to god, Tony - you make one more boyfriend crack-"

He knows Tony's not the only one making assumptions.

Hell, Tony is probably just yanking his chain, because that's what Tony does. But it doesn't change the fact that everybody in this time seems to think that any guys who do stuff together, (besides maybe drinking beer and talking about getting laid), must be taking it from behind.

And what, exactly, is wrong with loving your best friend? They're practically brothers. Closer than brothers. Doesn't mean he wants to jump Steve's bones, for christ's sake.

"At ease Sgt. No-fun." Tony drops him a mock salute. He's practically bursting with contained laughter. Bucky rolls his eyes and gives up. "One paint-job comin' up. Sit back, get comfy, and let the magic happen. JARVIS, you heard the man, get me a template and some pretty colors."

Tony somehow manages to sneak a novelty magnet onto the arm, while they wait for the paint to dry, without Bucky noticing until he goes to check the finished product.

It's an ugly off-white rubber thing with a big red, white, and blue heart in the center. 'I Love Captain America' is scrawled across it in a gaudy, horrible script-font that Bucky's sure would make Steve's inner artist sob for days. Blatant font abuse Steve would call it.

Bucky looks up at him under raised eyebrows.

"...Tony."

"You like it?"

"The paint-job? Yeah, it's awesome. But the magnet…? Seriously?"

"Oh come on, Robocop. You leave me an opening like that and think I'm not gonna take it? I have been waiting for a chance to stick that sucker on your arm for like a week and a half."

"You're a dick, Stark." Bucky can't quite keep a straight face. He has to admit, it's a pretty good prank, and for once he didn't have to supress the urge to crush someone's throat in his hand after said prank. Tony can be taught, apparently.

He feels his mouth twisting into a reluctant grin.

"Awww, I got a real smile out of the Grouchy Soldier! JARVIS, Instagram that for me, this is a historic moment."

Bucky has the quarter out of his pocket in one instant and flicks it at Tony's head the next. He's gratified to see Stark duck, completely failing to catch the coin as it sails past. JARVIS manages to catch it in the photo, automatically uploading it before Tony can rally the presence of mind to tell him to stop.

"Such a dick." Bucky repeats, but he can't keep his lips from twitching up around the edges, no matter how hard he tries.

Author's Note: I think we're nearing the end of this one, though there will probably be at least one more story in the works after this is done.

Also, as promised, I hope you enjoyed your something lighter :)

I also WANTED the magnet to have a heart emoticon on it, but the site won't let me use a less-than symbol for some reason :/