[open] so don't worry about tomorrow

[buildsomething]

who: Tony Stark and Open
what: Amnesia Event; Tony forgets everything since just before his Afghanistan trip.
when: 8/12 - 8/16
where: All around
warnings: none at the moment


i. wandering

Tony was not having the best day. Waking up in strange places with no idea of how he'd gotten there might have been old hat, but opening his eyes to what looked like -- the hell, was that a dorm room? -- was a new one. He'd been in Vegas, he knew that. Was pretty sure there had been some sort of stupid award involved and that Rhodey would be turning up to bitch at him over it any second now.

Except Vegas was a lot of things, but it definitely did not look like this. Stumbling out of the building and into a completely unfamiliar place had not helped. He didn't have to be a genius to tell that he wasn't in Kansas anymore, but it helped. If this was a joke, it seriously wasn't funny, and if this was some sort of weird kidnapping then it was the dumbest one Tony had ever heard of.

He mostly found himself making his way cautiously through the streets, half trying to find anything familiar and half just trying to get his head together. And despite the obvious suspicion and wariness in his expression, his entire posture seemed lighter than usual. He stood straighter, held his head higher, and almost visibly seemed less tired for all that he hadn't actually changed at all.

And every so often, he found himself staring up at the sky with an expression of deep skepticism. "Okay seriously," he muttered, more to himself, "is this some kind of weird VR thing or what?"

ii. drinking

Once it had become clear that this was both not a trick and not somewhere he was going to be leaving any time soon, Tony had done the only natural thing and gone to find a drink. Or two. Or a dozen. If the choice was between the lack-of-privacy suite and the truly pathetic excuse for a workshop he'd stumbled across, Tony would very happily install himself in any of the bars he could find and stay there instead.

It wasn't calming, exactly, but it was at least something he knew how to handle. So he smiled and flirted and bought drinks at random. If he couldn't find a party, he started his own, spilling out across tables and corners. He was loud and obnoxious and if not drunk, then close to it. If you had to be stuck in some random-ass place, might as well make the best of it. Right? Right.

Comments

drinking

[advanced]

[Bucky promised to keep out of Stark's way, and he's been keeping that promise, but that doesn't mean he hasn't been keeping an eye on the man. He's wary of the Avengers at the best of times and that means he wants to know their locations and plans, especially when they're all stuck together in a place like this, so it doesn't actually take long to notice something is off.

He watches for most of the afternoon, becoming more and more convinced that something is very wrong with Stark. Then he watches for another few hours, waiting for someone else to come and deal with it, but nobody really shows up. So eventually, when the other man ends up drinking far too much, he steps in.]

Sorry.

[It's the first word out of his mouth as he materialises next to Stark at the bar and tries to take the glass out of his hand.]

I know I promised to keep away, but this isn't right.

[buildsomething]

[He may have spent most of the afternoon drinking, but Tony isn't actually drunk. Pleasantly buzzed and well on his way to it, yes, but still in control of his various faculties. Which is why when the glass he's holding suddenly vanishes out of his hand, Tony lets it happen mostly out of confusion that someone who isn't Rhodey would even do such a thing.

He shifts enough to give the drink stealer an affronted look, but that's all it is. There's nothing in him that says he is looking at anything but a stranger.]

You did, huh? [Once it's clear that he probably isn't getting his drink back, Tony props his elbow on the table next to him and rests his head on his upturned fists to give the newcomer a long, languid, once over.] And why's that?

[advanced]

[Well... that's definitely not right, and his instinct to get away is suddenly buzzing loudly at the base of his skull. Amnesia, people playing with the minds of others again, that's not good.

He almost bolts there and then, just to flee for the edge of the city to minimise the risk of getting himself caught in whatever madness this is, but obligation to Stark keeps him rooted. This presents a whole new set of issues, especially if Howard ever told his son about the Bucky he knew and if Stark starts to recognise him from there.]

Forget it.

[It seems he already has.]

Doesn't matter right now, just matters that you come with me.

[buildsomething]

You know, this might be the weirdest come-on I've ever gotten. [It's said slow and lazily and Tony's clearly not making any attempt to move. If anything, he's just watching the man with slightly sharpened interest.]

Not that I'm not interested, handsome, but maybe try more offer than demand?

[advanced]

What?

[It's a shame that Tony doesn't remember Bucky, because it'll fly over his head just how momentous a moment he's made happen. The usually stoic expression breaks into one of total surprise and confusion, because did Tony just say what he thought he did?!]

No. I'm taking you somewhere to sober up.

[buildsomething]

Well that just sounds boring.

[Tony can at least tell he's gotten some kind of reaction, even if he doesn't entirely everything that's going on behind it. And like the kid he occasionally acts like, it means Tony's just going to poke at that break in composure harder. With the widest grin he has on his face.]

Or you could stay and drink with me. I'll pay even.

[advanced]

[This was so bizarre, and it gives him an itching feeling at the base of his skull. He just knows that the longer this goes on, the less Stark is going to be happy when he does go back to normal and remember flirting with the man who killed his parents.]

I don't drink.

[Not much point, the bastardised serum stops him getting drunk anyway.]

And you've had enough, so quit arguing with me.

[buildsomething]

You know, I don't think I will. [It's said with all the grandeur of a great proclamation. And Tony is still smirking just a little too widely.]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but you are not actually the boss of me. And as I am a functioning adult, I think I can decide when I've had enough.

[Seriously, the room isn't even spinning yet. Who does he think Tony is, a lightweight?]

[advanced]

[He's definitely not the boss of Tony and the sensible thing to do now would be to walk away and leave him to it, but... he just can't. The man obviously has some issues with his memory, which hits Bucky in all the wrong ways, and so he can't abandon him without knowing he's someplace safe.]

Fine.

[He's not relinquishing the glass he's got hold of, instead he tips the liquid into his mouth and swallows.]

Anything you buy, I'll drink it first until you give up and agree to come with me.

[buildsomething]

[Tony finds himself staring for a long moment, at both the guy and the now-empty glass. And then he suddenly bursts out laughing, loud and unrestrained.]

Seriously? [He just barely manages to get it out between fits of laughter.] That's your threat? Hell, drink all you want. Maybe it'll make you more fun.

[And he turns to order a new drink. Or two.]

[advanced]

[It's the best threat he has, because he doesn't actually want to lay his hands on Stark and make things even worse when he does get his memory back. Besides, he's relying on Stark getting bored of Bucky never getting drunk and giving up eventually.

So he reaches out and takes those new drinks as soon as they're put down, knocking them back like water.]

This would be easier if you would just come with me now.

[buildsomething]

Oh no.

[He's got his elbow on the bar and is resting his head on his hand, watching all of this with unrestrained amusement.]

This is definitely worth the price of admission. It's like a one man drinking contest. I'm almost impressed.

[advanced]

[Damn it, Stark!]

You'll be out of money or bored before I get drunk.

[Trust him, his metabolism will see to that.]

[buildsomething]

Wouldn't bet on it, I've got a lot of money.

[Not here, apparently, but in general. Easy to forget that when he's indoors.

And mostly just baiting the guy, but that's besides the point. This is way more interesting than drinking alone.]

And I do love a good experiment. So by all means, keep going.

[advanced]

[He has a feeling that Stark is going to be pretty angry at himself when he gets his memory back, and maybe angry with Bucky too for pushing on the subject. It's not going great, he's just trying to get the man someplace better than drinking alone in a world he doesn't know, but he's not exactly practised at the social skills.

He glares, but he will knock back any more drinks that are ordered. Even with his metabolism, it makes his head feel a little fuzzy, makes it harder to ignore the pain in his gut from the healing injuries he has going on.]

Fine. Let's do this like a business deal, what will it take to get you to stop drinking and go to bed?

[buildsomething]

[Tony's eyebrows both shoot straight upwards, but the amused look on his face doesn't go anywhere. If anything, it's even stronger.]

How forward. At least buy a man dinner first.

[But probably-accidental innuendo aside, Tony finds himself eying the man a little more closely. He's fixated on this whole thing in a way even Rhodey has never been, and that makes Tony curious. Of course, that might also be the alcohol talking, but he hasn't had that much. But still. What interest does a stranger have in his drinking habits anyway?]

First you tell me why you're so intent on this. Usually people want me to drink more, I'm told I'm more interesting that way.

[Lies, of course. Tony is always interesting.]

[advanced]

[That's actually a fair question, he knows he would have been a lot more intent on finding answers for a stranger being so pushy if this were the other way around. But what can he say? "I murdered your parents and you're friends with someone who used to be my best friend so I feel an obligation to keep you safe" or perhaps "I have issues with my memory being played with too, so I want to make sure you don't do anything dumb before you get it back"?

Both of those are terrible ideas.

Not the truth, then. Maybe something that skirts the edge of the truth?

Now that Tony is looking more closely, he might be able to see the way that Bucky's body has never lost tension at all even though he appears to be sitting in a relaxed way, coiled and ready to spring. His eyes keep darting as if to check egress points or threats, and he holds himself a bit more stiffly on the right side as if he has pain there.]

I don't want you to be interesting, I want you to be safe. If I leave you here, when you don't recognise this place, I don't know what might happen.

[buildsomething]

Well I'm going to go out on a limb, here, but I imagine what will happen is that I'll get drunk.

[It's a bar. What does this guy think will happen, snakes will fly out of the taps? Tony will get irrevocably lost on his way to the bathroom?

Though as Tony peers at him, it's becoming increasingly clear that this is the kind of guy who's suspicious about everything. The way he's holding himself sets off warning bells that Tony is actively choosing to ignore. Veteran, maybe. A professional at the very least.

Without losing his smile and despite the alcohol, something in Tony's eyes sharpens slightly. And when the next drink comes, he manages to snag it before his new friend can and down most of it in one go.]

So who's paying you? [The question is almost idle as he sets the glass back down.] Not Rhodey's style. Obi?

[advanced]

[He sees the sharper look and it's irritating that he's not fast enough to take the drink, so he goes the next best route and fixes the bartender with his best "I'm the Soldier and you don't want to mess with me" look, all deadly eyes and quiet threats.]

No more, he's cut off.

[Order given, he turns his attention back to Stark.]

Nobody's paying me, and I don't know who those people are. I don't work for anyone, I'm just a--- an acquaintance.

[He's sort of lying, he does know who Rhodey is. Not personally, but he's done a lot of research into the Avengers since he broke his programming and fled, so he at least recognises the name. The other one, though, Obi, means nothing to him.]

[buildsomething]

An acquaintance who is way too involved in my drinking habits.

[The high-handed takeover does at least earn a look that's more irritated. He'll put up with a lot as long as it's presented amusingly or from one of a trusted few, and this is neither. If there is anything Tony is most definitely not a fan of, it's being patronized.

He still makes no move to leave, in part to prove a point and the rest just for the sake of being irritating to someone who's trying to chase him out. Who said he can't be petty.]

You got a name, acquaintance?

[advanced]

[Does he give a pseudonym as he gives to everyone he doesn't know? Does he bother because this is Tony Stark and he'll eventually remember the truth anyway? There's a bit of a hesitation before he actually answers.]

James.

[Real name, for once.]

I know Steve.

[Here was a test of just how much Stark has lost, surely he'll at least still remember the other Avengers even if he doesn't recall Bucky.]

[buildsomething]

Fabulous. [So very, very dry. Though hey, at least it's an answer. Maybe they're getting somewhere.] And Steve would be?

[His tone is getting shorter. It's not this James' fault, not entirely, but he does make a handy target for it. Tony may be used to people knowing everything about him, he's been in the public eye long enough, but people knowing things he doesn't is not a fun sensation.

And he could really use another drink. But when he tries to signal the bartender and all he gets in return is a raise eyebrow and an almost nervous glance thrown at his new friend, all Tony can do is sigh.]

[advanced]

[That's... really not good, he doesn't even know Steve?

For the first time, his mask of neutrality cracks a bit and naked surprise shows on his face, followed by unsure confusion. Where does he take this? How does he go on from here without messing this up even further?]

If you come with me and get some rest, I'll tell you about Steve.

[That's a flimsy sort of deal, but it's the best he has.]

[buildsomething]

[One of Tony's eyebrows lifts, but somewhere behind the dry look is something considering. Always interesting to see what other people think should be important. Clearly this Steve is someone James thinks he not only should know but should want to.

And honestly, it does make him curious. But.]

Are you going to give me ice cream for being good, too?[He snorts derisively.] At least we've moved from threats to bribery.

[advanced]

If that's what it takes, I'll get you ice cream.

[He knows he's being mocked, but he's deadly serious on this. He's set himself the mission of making sure Tony Stark sleeps out the night safe and guarded, and that's important to him. He hasn't set himself a whole lot of missions since getting free, not made a lot of choices, so he doesn't want to fail.]