Flashy meets Slashy, Part 2!

[heismymission]

Who: Tony Stark & Bucky Barnes. Later: YOU!
Where: First and second districts, possibly elsewhere
When: September 6th
Summary: A rematch for the ages, thanks to a little bit of malfunctioning dangerous tech. Later: Bucky roams around so people can point and laugh.
Warnings: Violence. Murderous intent. General Winter Soldier things.

[The former assassin thought he was beginning to improve himself, that maybe he could reclaim some part of his life that wasn't HYDRA and begin to move forward in earnest. He's been making progress towards that end and towards keeping the memories he's managed to get a hold of. He felt like he had purpose--that he was ready for whatever came his way.

It isn't that he clung to Steve so much that a day away makes him nervous. It's the thought that he might not return, that he might not remember, that brings him the most unease.

But instead of focusing on the things he can't change, he decides to focus on something he can do. Said something is currently taking a good look at the closed southern districts from atop a few roofs in the first and second districts. He remembers the warning given to them--that entering the places will drain their energy rapidly--but he wonders if maybe there's something hidden there, some reason for them to have kept these places closed when it's been pointed out that enough energy has been made to open them.

He doesn't really expect anyone to bother him, and he's fairly certain anyone he encounters will leave him be. It's not like he hasn't made peace (however shaky) with the one he had a violent encounter with the last time he was surveying things from a roof.]

[OPEN]

[To say Bucky is tired and in pain is a massive understatement. He's been tossed around and injured in more ways than he'd like to admit, and frankly, he doesn't intend to. He honestly could have nodded off in his room to speed up his recovery, but given that Stark is currently inhabiting the apartment, he thinks it's better to... go elsewhere, at least for the moment.

He decides to walk through the nearby districts, seeing what kind of collateral damage they left. A few dents and cracks in walls, a mark where he narrowly dodged getting blown up, bloodstains here and there--some his, some Stark's. He wonders if anyone saw them fighting, either the empty suit going berserk and attacking him or his attempts to hunt down the fleeing engineer. It would be nicer if no one did. He really doesn't feel like explaining anything.

At least he's in some less-tattered clothes now, even if he's only half bandaged up. He still looks like a mess, sadly, walking through the streets for no real reason except to get out of his shared apartment.]

Comments

she worries for her strongarm ;;

[toughtalk]

[She tilts her head a bit to get a better look at it. It's a lot like scorch marks on her armor in appearance, but if there's one thing she found out--it's that human bodies and Cybertronian bodies had different levels of what they could take.

He didn't seem too affected by it, but the skin didn't exactly lend itself to 'perfectly okay'.]

You better. 'f I find you running around like this when you've got a real injury, you and I are gonna have problems.

[She gives that chin a small nudge with her finger.]

Can't have you breaking down before I do.

he'll be ok robot mom

[heismymission]

[His eyebrow goes up briefly at the affectionate gesture, and for some reason he finds himself relaxing his posture. He leaves his head titled to the side, looking nonchalant.]

I'm pretty sturdy.

[He survived tumbling down a frozen ravine before he even got the proper serum he has now. He can probably handle a lot.]

[toughtalk]

You've got me convinced.

[She steps back, though, giving him the space he needs.]

Sure you're gonna be okay? No ride or anythin'?

[heismymission]

[Bucky nods, looking about as nonchalant as he can given the injuries.]

Just need some time. [Time out of his apartment and time to heal.] Walking around feels better than sitting.

[He's not exactly fond of being stuck in one place for long periods of time with nothing to do but think. If he can move, he wants to move.]

[toughtalk]

[And with that, she stands, giving him a nod.]

'f you need me, you know how to get my attention.

[TRYING NOT TO HELICOPTER MOM....]

[heismymission]

Yeah.

[The reminder of having an ally--of having several allies--gives him a little more reassurance about the situation. He's not on his own anymore, he's not struggling to survive every day with people seeking him out and trying to kill him. And hell, even his truce with Stark is a huge step forward. Steve may be gone, but there are still others willing to help him.

So... maybe it's time to actively give back a little. His attempts towards it might be a little awkward at first, but...]

You been alright?

[toughtalk]

[Thankfully, Chromia's just as awkward about this as he is. And a bit surprised. Bucky was usually so reactive to conversation, never really instigating any, but never hesitating to answer. So a question like that gets her by surprise, blinking a few times before stirring an answer up herself.]

I've been...here. Some things happened but I'm not sure if they're good OR bad.

Starting to learn not everything's this black and white picture like I'm used to.

[heismymission]

[Thankfully once the first question is out, it's easier to continue the conversation. It's just initiating that he's not used to; he was never expected to speak first, and even those he's met here always start talking to him first.]

Things happened. Like what?

[He definitely feels Chromia on things no longer being black and white; before, all he knew was targets and those he shouldn't harm. Now, it's pretty damn different, and he knows how tough it is.]

[toughtalk]

[Her head dips down. Bucky's been more than open to her in the past few months. Surely she could do the same. It's been hard, but relying on people is the only way to really thrive here.]

I'm not sure. Ironhide and I've been...avoiding each other.

[A pause.]

We did something.

[heismymission]

[Her vague answers and the mention of Ironhide make him frown in curiosity, moving his head to the side slightly.]

Was it bad?

[It seems like she doesn't really want to go into specifics, so he won't press very far, but it's a little difficult to try to help at all when he has no idea what's going on.]

[toughtalk]

[Her arm goes to the other, holding it as she looks to the side.]

He... kissed me.

[Bucky's one of her confidants here. He's got no reason to tell anyone these things. It's why she trusts him.]

I didn't know what to do, so I left.

[heismymission]

[He does know a little about kissing and romantic relationships (thank god for movies), but he's no real expert. Still, he'll do what he can. He reaches up with his bandaged hand to scratch at his neck.]

Do you like him? [That seems like a pretty important thing when it comes to kisses.]

[toughtalk]

[The question surprises her (even if it shouldn't), almost sputtering.]

D..Define like!

[That really doesn't help your case, Chromia.]

[heismymission]

[You're asking the guy who just learned about affection two months ago.

His eyes dart around a moment before he decides to try another route. It kind of answers Chromia's question anyway.]

Did you want him to kiss you?

[toughtalk]

...

[Her shoulders slump a little, those wheels idly spinning. How does she even answer this? She can't lie, not to Bucky.

She's pretty much told him anything at this point.]

I didn't mind it. When it happened.

[heismymission]

[He takes a moment to think over her options. It's pretty clear this has been bugging her.]

Tell him. He might think you hated it.

[If he'd done something and a person began to avoid him after that, he'd certainly be getting that impression. Clearing up misunderstandings can save people from a lot of pain; he's pretty much the living embodiment of that principle right now.]

[toughtalk]

...

[She knows he's right. Ironhide probably would've taken it to spark too if she left right away. Which she did.

But there was a problem.]

I haven't seen him since then. I think he's avoiding me.

[She wouldn't admit it, but she'd been hoping to bump into him at least once by now.]

[heismymission]

[Given Chromia's reaction, he can't blame him. Better to not agitate someone further by hanging around--it was part of the reason he'd left Stark alone at their apartment, to let the situation cool off.]

You tried the network?

[toughtalk]

Mm.

[She hadn't, actually. She'd been keeping off it completely as of late...as if she was embarrassed to start with.]

Think he'd answer?

[heismymission]

He might. He'll know you wanna talk.

[And he's willing to bet Ironhide would want to, if he kissed her in the first place.]

[toughtalk]

I guess I'll have to, then.

[Although, getting up the spark to do it is going to be hard.]

Thanks. Looks like you ended up taking care of me on this little outing.

[heismymission]

[He nods his head just twice, feeling a little satisfied that he could do something for her.]

I should do something to help you. [That's what allies do. Hell, who knows. Maybe they're even friends. He hasn't gotten Chromia's opinion on that topic yet.]

[toughtalk]

[That gets a little smile out of her too.]

I'll be fine, Strongarm. I don't dent as easily.

[She points to his injuries.]

Take care of yourself, okay? That's helping too.

[heismymission]

[He lets his gaze move away from Chromia. That she can take more of a beating than him is clear enough, even with his enhanced healing. He wishes all of him was as sturdy as his arm, which remains undamaged despite everything.]

I will.

[Even though he has to be pretty severely injured before it starts to slow him down, that doesn't mean he enjoys pain. He has no tasks to complete right now, so he'll be resting and recovering.]