riverviewlogs | a wizard, a super soldier, and an assassin walk into a bar

[Usually, upon seeing an unconscious body out of the corner of his eye, the smart thing to do would be to keep walking, because it's not his damn business and people who get into this sort of trouble usually mean trouble but he's--

He's not that much of an asshole, apparently, so with a sigh, Taako turns into the alley those legs sticking out from halfway behind some bins, umbra staff held ready just in case.

But it's just some unconscious dude who looks as if he's had a real fucking shitty day.]

Please be sleeping and not dead, my man.

[When there's no immediate response, he crouches down and reaches out for Bucky's neck, trying to find a pulse.]

[Unfortunately for Taako's good deed of the day, that's just about the worst thing that someone can do to a sleeping, paranoid, super soldier. He feels someone touch his neck and he's awake instantly, reacting completely on instinct.

His metal hand, gloved and in a long sleeve to disguise it, snaps out to try and grab onto whoever is touching him.]

[Well, fuck.

Taako tries and fails to cast Blink, because a roll of 3 sure as shit isn't gonna do it, so there's a very hard hand grabbing him and he is trying very hard not to freak out.]

Hey, hey, chill the fuck out, I'm trying to help.

[This is why you don't help unconscious people in alleys.]

[Chill the fuck out does not seem to be in Bucky's vocabulary at the moment. The pain in his leg and wrist come flooding back, combined with the sudden panic of being accosted by a stranger, and he's not letting Taako go so much as he is trying to shove him back.

Hard.

Hard enough to potentially hit the opposite wall of the alley.]

[Things that wizards are not designed for: being thrown around like ragdolls.

He hits the wall, grunting in both pain and annoyance at the knowledge that's sure as hell going to bruise later. He gets to his feet as quickly as possible, then points the umbra staff at Bucky, though he doesn't cast anything just yet. He's not burning a spellslot unless he's sure he needs it.]

What the fuck, dude!

[Is this guy secretly a bugbear or something?]

Would you just stop? I'm not here to hurt you!

[trouble in back alleys, steve remembers it well. back then, he was a part of that trouble, so him being the one to happen upon some already in progress is a little new.

bucky told him not to follow him, but Steve's been looking for him anyway, just wanting to know where he is, if he has a roof over his head, if he's okay: it seems like the answers would be here, no, and definitely not.]

Hey. Everything alright here? [it's taako that he looks too first, who's on the defensive from someone. and then his gaze slides to who that someone is.] Bucky!

[At least getting Taako away from him, even if it is in a violent way, gives him enough breathing space to wake up fully. Shit. Did he hurt that guy? No, he looks okay, bruised maybe and a little shaken, but-- and of course, Steve is there.

Bucky launches himself to his feet in the aim of getting away. It turns out that when one of your legs is broken, this is a really bad idea. He grunts in pain as his leg collapses beneath him, sending him sprawling back out onto the alley floor.]

[Oh thank fuck.

There's a moment where the umbra staff is pointed at Steve, his sudden appearance catching Taako off guard, before it registers that he's concerned and therefore probably not a thread.

And then he looks at Taako's current least favorite person like he knows him, which, of fucking course.]

You know this clown?

[Does he care that Bucky just went sprawling?

Hell no.]

Easy! Buck, talk to me.

[steve's down on the pavement with him, hands hovering above bucky's shoulder and arm as he tries to assess his injuries. there's a guy with a staff pointed at him, and an assassin that could strike out at him. steve's aware of it; he doesn't care. all he sees is his friend in pain.]

What happened?

[he looks back at taako, and his voice isn't quite accusing, but he's going to need some answers.]

[Bucky doesn't know which one of them to look at, eyes darting between Taako and Steve. Logically he knows that neither one of them are a threat, the first guy was trying to help him and Steve-- Steve is an idiot who won't fight back even when he has to, not against him.

The cuff to his right sleeve is slightly rucked up, making it obvious that the skin there is bruised and distended with a dislocated bone. Otherwise, the broken leg and cracked ribs are hidden from view.

Talk to him. And say what?]

Don't call me that.

[Smooth. And then, to Taako:]

You-- who are you?

[His heart is still hammering in his chest - it's been a long time since he was attacked without immediate help nearby - but Mr. Grabby seems to have chilled out and the other guy isn't a threat, so he lowers the umbrella, hooking it on his uninjured arm.]

I saw this asshole passed out down here and tried to help. Last time I do that shit.

[He isn't giving his name just yet, though.]

Edited (whups html) 2017-03-11 22:03 (UTC)

[what happened, who did this to him, where else he's hurt. steve has a list of things that he wishes bucky would talk to him about, even if he knows he won't.

whatever it was, taako didn't do it. steve nods at him before looking back at bucky, down to his wrist, the leg that gave out on him. he's bruised and busted up.]

We need to get him help.

[didn't the other guy just say he was done doing that? steve's gonna plead his case anyway.]

I could call Sam.

[He finally pushes himself back up properly in one swift movement, this time braced against the pain in his leg. It's not good to stand on a broken leg, but he's done worse, he can endure.]

I don't need help.

[He's not running yet, though. Just standing is enough.

His gaze flicks to Taako, something small and almost apologetic passing across his face, before it's back to blankness.]

You hurt?

[It's the closest he's going to get to actually apologising.]

I'm just peachy, my dude.

[The words are sharp, since he's hurt yeah, that should be obvious, but he's mostly just annoyed that for once he tries to do the right thing and it backfired. He's also not admitting to just how badly that hurt is; thanks to the liches he damages way more easily than he should, but that's a weakness he's not letting people know about.

His gaze cuts to Steve.]

I'm a wizard, not a cleric, healing isn't in my wheelhouse.

[He can knock Bucky unconscious if that would help...]

Like hell you don't. You don't get this taken care of properly, you might not be able to run at all.

[and he knows how much bucky would hate that. maybe he's being a little bit dramatic, but seeing his friend both in pain and being stubborn about it is his breaking point. steve places himself directly in bucky's path, even if his expression is pleading with him.]

What is in your wheelhouse?

[it's a genuine question. steve has even less experience with wizards than he does with magical healing.]

Edited 2017-03-11 23:28 (UTC)

[This is not good.

He's starting to feel trapped now, with them talking about him as though he isn't there and Steve blocking his escape route. The worst thing is, he knows that he's probably not going to win if he goes toe-to-toe with Steve right now. Not unless he got out one of his guns, and he's not prepared to do that.]

It'll heal. It's just a broken bone.

[There's an implied 'I've had worse'.]

I don't need help, I need you both to back off and leave me alone.

[Taako waits for Bucky to speak, hoping for an assessment of the injuries so he knows what would be useful, and is a little relieved to actually get it.

When he answers Steve's question, it's directed at Bucky.]

I can make you a splint, you can put it on your damn self but it'll be better than letting that heal all fucked up.

[This isn't actually up for discussion, he figures, since blondie is pretty insistent his friend get help.

So Taako casts a glance down the alley, reaches out with mage hand to pull a discarded milk crate towards him, and sits down in front of it, hands held out over the surface. It'll take a minute or two, but the plastic of the crate is being reformed into something decidedly splint shaped.]

He said you were passed out. You want rid of us, the quickest way is to let us help.

[maybe bucky would do something more than just try to walk it off, maybe he wouldn't. the only way to know for sure is if steve sees it with his own eyes. he does, however, take a couple of steps back to give bucky some breathing room.

he can't help but be a little bit curious about what taako is doing in the meantime, sparing a glance in the wizard's direction after he sits down in front of the milk crate.]

Sorry, I didn't catch your name. I'm Steve.

[He really doesn't like the look of that magic, but he's trying not to lash out again. The wizard, whatever his name was, had come to try and help him and Bucky had hurt him in return, that he was even trying to make a splint at all was more than he deserved.

So, for once, he doesn't actually argue any further. He's still so tired and it hurts a lot, so he ends up sinking back down against the wall.

Instead of joining in the conversation, small talk really isn't his strong suit even when Steve Rogers isn't involved, he pulls his hoodie up a bit to clamp a wedge of fabric in his teeth and then very brutally snaps his dislocated wrist back into place with the power of his metal hand. It hurts like hell, but the fabric in his mouth stops him from crying out or damaging his teeth from clenching too hard.]

That'd be 'cause I didn't give it.

[He knows that he isn't exactly hard to track down, there are only so many elves and so many wizards around here, and he's pretty sure he's the only person that's both. But he still isn't comfortable giving his name out to a stranger that attacked him, and the stranger's friend.

Taako plucks a few loose strands of thread from the sleeve of his shirt, dropping them onto the forming splint and reshaping them into the required straps. It looks exactly like the kind of splint that would be found in a 21st century hospital, which might be a bit weird to see coming from a dude dressed in a wizard hat with a cloak around his shoulders.

He's almost done, but he casts a quick glance at Bucky when he hears that wrist pop.]

You know you should like, go to a doctor, right?

[okay, so no one's a fan of small talk. steve sighs and leaves it at that. but he looks like he's the one in pain as he watches bucky sink back down again, grinding his own teeth against the snap.]

He won't go.

[it's quiet. he shouldn't be answering for bucky anyway, even when that fact is probably already painfully clear to the wizard.]

You never went.

[The words come out without him really noticing, low and strained with the pain in his wrist. He has a sudden but sharp memory of Steve, stick thin and sweating from fever, insisting stubbornly that he was fine and that Bucky should spend his money on something else.

It takes a second or two for the world to come back into focus again, wrist throbbing but at least back in position.]

No doctors.

[At least Steve is right on that. He doesn't know any of them, doesn't trust any of them. Doesn't trust himself with them.]

Well who I am to get in the way of your kinks.

[It's never made sense to him, avoiding medical assistance (or healing assistance) out of pride or stubbornness or whatever the hell is going on here, so he's just going to blithely suggest that masochism is the real motivation, here.

But despite the attitude he's giving, which is really par for the course, Taako does finish up with splint with a little flourish of his hands, then floats it over towards Steve.

He said Bucky could do it himself, but he doesn't actually know how feasible that is, especially if the bones need to be straightened up. So Steve gets to be in charge.]

[the words are a little startling, steve's eyes widening as he stares at bucky. that comment didn't come from anything that bucky read about him, he remembers something. he doesn't snap out of it until the split floats his way. steve glances from it to taako.]

Thank you.

[his help isn't something that steve takes lightly, nor will it be something he forgets. and he does have enough field medic experience to help him with it.

now for the hard part.]

This won't help with the pain. But if we can get this on you, everything should at least heal back straight. [he pauses, and in a move that would probably make sam wilson scream to the heavens:] You can hold a gun to my head if you want.

[Actions always speak louder than words and, despite his irreverence and irritation, Taako is still there helping him. He'll remember it too. He might not quite make it as far as a proper thanks or apology, but he will probably stalk the man every so often and step in if he gets into trouble.

His attention is pulled pretty fully to Steve, though, when that stupid offer comes in. A look of irritation spasms across his face as he shakes his head.]

I might fire it.

[He probably would, and he doesn't want to. No matter what else he feels about Steve at the moment, he doesn't want to put a bullet in his head. Unfortunately, he can see that he won't be able to fit the splint himself, so he shifts a little to put the injured leg out more in silent invitation.]

[What.

The.

Fuck.

There had been tension between these two, that much was obvious, but this is a whole other level of fucked up, and Taako can't help the look of concern that he shoots at Steve. He doesn't know this guy, doesn't know either of them, but he's sure this isn't like, a normal people interaction. He was planning to leave, now he's not so sure if that's a good idea.]

Hey, I got a better idea, let's not kill anyone when that's probably illegal and shit, ya feel?

[he doesn't think that bucky would really kill him, not anymore. but he doesn't think he really trusts him either, especially when he's already vulnerable. it's something that steve plans on working on while he's here. it's honestly never far from his mind.]

Yeah, you're probably right.

[steve shoots a quick smile at taako before he crouches down and gets to work. he knows that it's likely to get worse before it gets better, that he needs to get the leg aligned properly and the sprint just right. and that all but guarantees a few more agonizing moments for bucky.]

Who did this? [he asks quietly while he works.] Buck, if someone could do this to you, if they're a danger...

[he needs to know.]

[The fingers of Bucky's left hand, still obscured by a glove and long sleeve, dig very suddenly into the ground when Steve begins to manipulate his leg to get it into a good position for splinting. He digs down hard enough that his fingers leave large grooves in the concrete.]

Nobody.

[It's taking all his willpower not to lash out at Steve right now and Taako might notice the rising violence in his expression.]

Did it to myself.

[For the first time in his entire career as a wizard, Taako kind of wishes he'd gone for the cleric or bard route, since that would be a lot more helpful right now. Hell, even Calm Emotion sounds like a great plan, but everything he's got is aimed at offensive or defensive spells, mostly, so he's shit out of luck.

But he can't do nothing.]

Hey, listen uh, Buck, right? [The edge of annoyance is gone from his voice; he's trying to sound calm.] I know that probably hurts like fuck, but let's not punch they guy that's helping you out, yeah?

[He doesn't think the actual content of what he's saying will help, but maybe doing something to draw Bucky's attention for a little bit, maybe keeping his voice soft and calm, will take just a tiny bit of that tension away.]

Edited 2017-03-13 14:09 (UTC)

Sorry.

[he's trying to work as quickly as he can, but steve's still not as experienced with this as sam would be. he also can't let himself get distractd, but bucky says that he did it to himself, and steve knows that's a lie. it opens up new worries, that he might go back after someone in retaliation, that he might end up in even worse shape the next time around.

taako's trying to calm bucky, but it actually works on steve too.]

You know, we should probably listen to this guy. He seems smarter than either one of us.

[steve smiles faintly, then exhales once he's done, trying to check and recheck the splint before bucky realizes it too.]

[There is now a gouged out handprint down this alleyway, and the stitching on one of the fingers of his glove has come apart to reveal a glint of metal. It hurts, and the pain puts him somewhere other than here, a weird dichotomy of memory and reality blending into one.

Taako's calm voice, and the fact that Steve is doing his best to work as gently as possible, both help to keep him from actually taking a swing at Steve. He does notice as soon as it's done, though, pulling himself back and away to let the wall take the majority of his weight.]

Спасибо.

[It comes out low and throaty, eyes flicking between the two. He takes a moment to breathe, to calm down.]

I'm fine.

[The metal arm doesn't really draw much of Taako's attention; he's too busy watching all of Bucky, making sure he's not about to lash out at either of them. There's a sleep spell on the tip of his tongue, but it seems as though he won't need it.]

You don't look fine, bubbale.

[He wishes Noelle were here, with her assortment of medical equipment and (probably) painkillers, but it's just him and Steve.]

Where are you staying?

[He doesn't connect 'Bucky crawled down here' with 'he's sleeping in an alley', but he has figured Bucky as the kind of guy who isn't sleeping in the provided accommodation.]

He's right.

[steve gets to his feet, eyes flickering down to the splint. he's already memorized the sound of that word, hoping that maybe he'll be able to find out what it means later. even if it's the equivalent of breadcrumbs, steve will follow any trail that bucky gives him.]

You shouldn't be on it anymore than you have to. There's gotta be someplace for you to lay low for awhile.

[If this had just been Taako then it would be a lot easier now to make something up about a place to stay, but Steve is unlikely to be placated so quickly or be willing to just let him go and walk away. So there's not much point in lying.]

I've been sleeping on the street.

[He shrugs, voice level like this is a thing that normal people do even when they're offered communal housing and a month of free money.]

I'll find somewhere to lay low.

[Somehow, he's not surprised, but that doesn't mean that it's an acceptable answer, not when Bucky is injured.]

Somewhere with a roof and shit, right? Cause, uh, been there, done that, and sleeping rough is like, the worst thing you can do when injured.

[Taako doesn't look as though he's done a day of hard work in his life, but that's because it's how he wants to look.]

Edited (yikes) 2017-03-14 20:18 (UTC)

There has to be a better way.

[bucky sleeping on the street wouldn't be okay with steve even if he wasn't injured, it feels twice as wrong now.]

You're going to need things while it heals. Like he said, a roof over your head, food, maybe even medicine.

[steve knows where he can get all of those things, and bucky knows it too. he's standing right in front of him.]

Just let me help.

[They're both fussing over nothing. He's survived much worse conditions than being on the street with a broken leg, this is a walk in the park compared to some other things.

His jaw firms, clearly about to refuse all offers of aid, eyes flicking between one and the other.]

I can find somewhere on my own.

[A part of him wants to accept Steve's offer pretty badly, but he can't risk it.]

I don't need any help, not from either of you.

[Now that the immediate threat has passed, Taako doesn't feel the need to be chill and reassuring anymore, which is lucky, because Bucky's attitude is pissing him off.]

Holy shit what is wrong with you? The fucking militia aren't gonna come and arrest you for like-- for admitting that you need help! You wanna die on the street? Fine, I don't give two shits, but this guy ob-vi-ous-ly does. Do you know how rare that shit is, and you're just gonna ignore it 'cause what, you're too stubborn? Fuck.

[...

He's done.]

[he wants to come to bucky's defense, explain that the situation's a little more complicated than him just being stubborn. but he appreciates what taako's saying on his behalf too.]

What if I need you to help me? You leave like this, I won't know a moment's peace.

[the only person getting less sleep than the guy on the streets with a broken leg would be the guy thinking about the guy on the streets with a broken leg. "mom guilt" is arguably a dirty trick, but steve's willing to play it.]

Edited 2017-03-16 01:44 (UTC)

[Steve is an idiot with no self preservation instincts, and Taako is an idiot for not seeing that and enabling that lack of self preservation. It's not just stubbornness or fear for himself, he's scared of being around Steve. Scared of remembering, scared of not remembering, scared of the mission in his head triggering around his last target.

He shakes his head again, eyes cast down as if guilty for refusing.]

I can't.

[At least he sounds slightly regretful.]

It's not safe.

[He doesn't clarify who it's not safe for, the explanation is mostly for Taako.]

[He's not really sure about how he feels about the guilt trip tactics, but it's not exactly his place to say anything about it, although that's never stopped him before.

Mostly he's trying to work out whether or not Bucky means it's not safe for himself, or for Steve, but he's leaning towards the latter. Between the way Bucky lashed out and that comment about guns and shooting, there's... something here that he doesn't understand. It's not an anger between friends, that's something he's seen before, this is different.]

I got a newsflash for you, nothing is safe. I mean, fuck, are you just gonna spend the rest of your life hiding in an alley?

[That seems pretty sad, to him.

But what's more sad is that he's even giving a shit about a bunch of strangers, and it's at that point that Taako stands up.]

You know what, fuck this. Unless you need a goddamn spell, I'm out.

[He's not here to have emotional conversations with a bunch of idiots.]

For who, exactly? You? Me?

[steve wants the clarification so he can try to show bucky how wrong he is on every count. he turns his head a little in taako's direction after those last words.]

If I can ever do anything for you, I hope you'll let me know.

[The brief look that Bucky shoots Taako clearly says that living his life in alleyways is exactly his plan for the foreseeable future, and that he thinks it's a pretty good plan. Or, if not good, then at least the best of a bunch of bad plans.

He doesn't know or trust the wizard, but he doesn't want him to leave. That would put him alone with Steve, and it will be much harder for him to get away, probably even impossible with his leg slowing him down.]

Don't go.

[He doesn't have a reason why, it just slips out.]

Not without Steve, take him with you. It's not safe for either of us. [His voice lowers a bit, a slight hint of confusion under the surface because he's still not entirely sure why he cares at all.] I'm trying to do the right thing.

[He pauses, because Bucky asks, but his expression doesn't get any less annoyed. This is-- whatever the hell it is, he doesn't need to be involved.]

And listen to you two argue about who cares the most or whatever the hell is going on here? I'm not your fucking marriage counselor.

[Something tells him the argument with Steve and Bucky is going to keep going in circles, and he doesn't know what to say. This is so beyond his realm of experience that it's making him uncomfortable.]

[steve winces when bucky says that he's trying to do the right thing. if there's one thing steve does understand, it's that.]

You keep saying that, but I'm gonna have to agree with him. There are plenty of things here that aren't safe, things beyond the fences, things we probably don't know about yet. [the fact that bucky got this hurt by something or someone proves it too, because steve damn sure doesn't believe that he did this to himself.] The safest thing is for everyone is if we start working together. All of us.

[Steve is a goddamn idiot. Does he have no self preservation instincts at all? Something deep inside him sparks with anger, a remnant of the guy who used to have to protect an asthmatic kid who never knew when to back down.]

I tried to kill you, I nearly did, and I might do it again.

[His voice was harsh, body tense as he edged a step towards the dead end of the alleyway, away from Steve and Taako.]

It's not safe to work with me, so walk away. Both of you. Now.

[Even if it isn't directed at him, Taako hears enough of a threat in Bucky's words that he's more than happy to leave.

Without another word he snaps his fingers, and he's just gone.

Being able to teleport is a useful skill.]

a wizard, a super soldier, and an assassin walk into a bar

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