It was something Steve suggested, something he said he still did when he heard or saw something he wasn't sure about, he wrote it down to look up later. After everything that he had missed (and everything he was told) it was an idea that held appeal, even if the aggravation of not understand a simple sentence he might overhear made his eye twitch. One day after a meeting Bucky pulled Steve aside and spoke in a hushed whisper about where he could get some small notebook to carry around. Steve smiled and grabbed his shoulder before saying he would take care of it. True to his word there was a package in his room later in the day with a new black notebook, (thin enough to carry) and several pens.
He was almost positive the first entry would be something tech related as he lived in an era far beyond even his own understanding. (There was an incident with the microwave and his own overconfidence and the pretty intern who was showing him around the kitchen. He had waved off her explanation and later on when he chewed his lip staring at it he realized he shouldn't have been so hasty. Steve found him later and told him that he would replace the microwave and that no, he didn't need to rip it out of the wall sometimes popping noises happened.)
So color him surprised when his very first entry was something to do with himself. It was after training, late and he was walking into S.H.I.E.L.D. heading towards the office he shared with Steve to try to get ahead on this paperwork they always seemed to need but on one ever read if the constant meetings was any example. (He wasn't entirely sure but if he had to place money it was that Fury used paperwork as punishment. He probably had shredding parties with them too.)
He had reached up to make sure the gun on his back was secure when a junior agent turned the corner and led by stories and poor lighting promptly let lose a shriek of ear bleeding decibels. He actually stepped back in surprise before the hall was flooded with gun totting agents. (Really, he was sure one came down from the vent.) He was clenching his teeth when Steve had to come down to help with the situation, but he was downright mortified when the talks of getting Fury on the phone reached his ears.
It was after this littleā¦thing that he decided to put a reminder down in his journal.
note: file paperwork in the morning
He was pretty content to leave it at that before he found, on his way into the kitchen the next morning for some much needed caffeine fix a box sitting on his counter. He tilted his head and he picked it up, reading the header with a scowl.
"Make-up removing wipes"
It was then he saw the post it on the counter, the small slanted scrawl telling him exactly who had snuck in and left it for him.
Sunglasses work just as well.
