survival of the fittest

[advanced]

who: Bucky and anyone!
what: Bucky is a big old thief, tracks down his name twin, and also goes monster fighting with Clark
when: Anytime between March 8th and March 12th
where: Around Quarantine
warnings: Probably violence

[i: Around Quarantine; open to anyone]

[Bucky has chosen to eschew the communal housing gifted to him, as well as all the benefits that affords. Like food, shelter, and access to a shower. The last two aren't such a big deal, but he needs a lot of food to keep him going, the bastardised serum in his veins makes him burn through calories at a ridiculous rate.

Which is why he's ghosting through Quarantine on the look out for empty housing or possible a not very well attended street food stall, in order to snatch a hand out and take something. He can be found shoplifting in the street; or, if you'd prefer, breaking into your character's housing in search of food.]

[ii: Down a back alley somewhere; closed to Bucky Barnes]

[Ever since he saw that name on the network, his own name, Bucky has been in overdrive trying to figure out what's going on. It takes him a day or so to track down who owns the username, and then another day to just follow them around and try and figure out who they are. It's only when he catches the imposter out alone, whatever he might be doing, that he reveals himself by trying to drag the other man down an alleyway in an explosion of movement and bad decisions.]

[iii: Monster hunting; closed to Clark Kent]

[The perimeter is of interest to Bucky, partially because it means an escape from this town and partially because he knows that Stark is going to be making upgrades to it. It's why he's scouting around it today.

He's too focused on the possible security measures, trying to find surveillance equipment or defence mechanisms, that he has completely failed to notice the large monster shaped like a monstrous caterpillar creeping up behind him on silent feet.]

Comments

[advanced]

[Some of the tension leaks out of him, he's not been thanked in a very long time.]

You're not going to tell anyone about me?

[He doesn't mean his arm, he more means that he's trying to be an anonymous hobo ghost living out of public view.]

[signifies]

[ It surprises him. He knew 'Simon' was living outdoors, not once did it occur to him that he might have wanted to stay away from people for similar reasons that Clark did.

He ponders. ]

Not unless you're in trouble.

[advanced]

[His eyes narrow, tension returning again.]

What's your definition of trouble?

[Because he's pretty sure it'll differ from his own.]

[signifies]

[ He points deep into the forest. ]

If another one of those was after you.

[ The rest it seems 'Simon' can handle. Clark knows now it's probably not a real name, but that's okay.

He might have to think about that arm some other time. Nobody should just have to live with it. ]

[advanced]

[He shakes his head and finally pushes himself off the tree he's been leaning on, only just managing not to stagger a step. The creature did more damage than he thought.]

Not even then.

[It's an order rather than a request.]

It's better for everyone if nobody comes near me, no matter what.

[signifies]

[ Clark very nearly steps forward, meaning to catch him if he stumbled. He holds himself back. It'll do more harm than good.

He doesn't like the order at all, but 'Simon' says better for everyone. It gives Clark pause. He keeps himself away out of the fear that his strength might snap something it shouldn't. ]

You're dangerous?

[ His curiosity gets the better of him. ]

[advanced]

[He nods. The worst part about it is that he still isn't sure what he wants from moment to moment, the Soldier still feels too much a part of him to be trusted.]

I could kill people-- have killed people. A lot of them. I could do it again.

[signifies]

You won't.

[ This isn't belief in Bucky's restraint. He hasn't done anything yet, and he won't now that Clark knows to be observant. Clark's first duty is to keep the people here safe. ]

I can stop you... if you want me to.

[advanced]

[There's the tiniest flash of something like hope in Bucky's eyes, before it shuts down again. It's a nice thought, but Clark can't possibly promise that. No matter how observant he is, he can't watch Bucky constantly and there's always a chance that he can hurt someone before anyone can get there to stop him.

But if there is someone here who could take him out, someone that isn't Steve...

He takes a stance opposite Clark, ignoring the pain in his shoulder and side from the monster attack, voice serious.]

Prove it.

[signifies]

[ Clark shakes his head. A fight would seriously injure Bucky; if he throws a punch against Clark it will shatter the bones in his hand, and who knows what it might do to the metal one.

Instead, Clark holds out both his hands, palms up. ]

May I hold your wrists?

[advanced]

[He's not sure he likes that idea, it feels more like being taken prisoner than a fair fight.

But he does, eventually, put both his wrists inside Clark's hands. The metal one is a vibranium alloy, one of the toughest substances on Earth.]

[signifies]

[ Clark curls his fingers around the middle of Bucky's forearms. The grip looks flimsy. ]

Try to pull free.

[ No matter how hard Bucky tries, he won't be able to, even with Clark doing little more than standing there. ]

[advanced]

[Even if he can't get free, it's probably obvious that his strength exceeds that of a normal human by quite significant amounts, especially in his metal arm.

It doesn't take him long to start panicking a little underneath. Trapped, he's trapped again, can't let himself be trapped. All of a sudden, he launches forward to aim a vicious headbutt at Clark's face; at the same time, twisting to try and deal a kick to his side.]

[signifies]

[ He ducks the headbutt, not wanting Bucky to hurt himself badly. Not the kick, which will break the bone.

It's heartbreaking to see a human being driven to this desperation, and Clark regrets causing him pain, even when it has purpose. At least Bucky will wear himself out long before Clark even feels an iota of fatigue. He said he would be able to stop him, and now it feels like a promise.

He waits patiently for Bucky to realise it's fruitless to retaliate, careful to dodge or move around any headbutts or attacks from the metal arm: he doesn't want to crush it. The rest, Bucky said would heal, and Clark will live with that. ]

[advanced]

[He certainly wasn't expecting the bone to break, but it doesn't stop him. The way he stands on the leg, despite the break, and still uses it in attacks speaks to the way that he's been trained.

The Asset must keep fighting, physical injuries can be ignored, a weapon is no good if it stops at the first sign of pain. And so he keeps going well past when he should, muttering in a mixture of Russian and English when the panic gets to be too much.

When he does finally go still, looking genuinely traumatised, his right leg is broken in two places and his left wrist is dislocated where he kept trying to pull it loose.]

[signifies]

Sorry.

[ Bucky's heart rate is through the roof, and his body is screaming with pain. Clark lets him go, trying not to hover. He's especially trying very hard not to think about what kind of training goes into a human being pushing themselves like this.

He speaks softly, brows knit deep with concern. ]

Do you want me to help you with those?

[ He can scan the bone, as well as the rest of Bucky's body, and check for anything damaged in the wrist. ]

[advanced]

[Possibly the most frightening thing is how easy it all seemed for Clark, he's still standing with no injuries and he's not even panting. What is he made of, that just striking him can cause broken bones?

As soon as he's released, Bucky is retreating beyond arm's distance. He's not letting himself give in to the pain, maintaining an even fighting stance despite that meaning he has to put weight on his broken leg.

It takes him a good full minute to calm down enough to speak rationally and be sure the words will be English when they come out, enough to know he's being apologised to and that Clark didn't do anything he wasn't asked to do.]

You can heal too?

[It's low and wary, voice and stance both screaming distrust.]

[signifies]

[ All it does is make Clark hurt for him even more. Injuries are temporary, but it's a lot of pain even for someone above-human in strength and healing factor. ]

I can't heal other people. I can look at your body and tell you if there's injuries you might not've noticed.

[ He gives Bucky a wide berth. ]

I won't if you don't want me to.

[ He emphasises this. ]

[advanced]

[A part of him wants to go to Steve. A tiny, tired, hurting part of him that he will ignore and squash down fiercely.

He's not going to heal overnight. He might have a slightly better recovery time than normal people thanks to the bastardised serum in his body, but he still won't be running any marathons on that leg for a few weeks. Or, rather, he shouldn't, but he's unlikely to rest it as it should be rested. The pain, at least, is familiar. Something he can compartmentalise and ignore.

There's a long pause, weighing up just how much trust Clark has gained from his actions matching his words so far.]

Alright.

[There's not much to be seen. The two breaks in his leg, fairly clean, a dislocated wrist, two cracked ribs from his fight with the monster, tearing at the muscles in his shoulder where the metal connects, and ever-renewing pain from the strain of having something that heavy connected to him.

None of which shows on his face, though. Both expression and heartrate have settled back to neutral despite all the injuries, now that some distance has been achieved.]

[signifies]

[ Clark approaches slowly, kneeling down. He doesn't touch Bucky, and he tilts his head at an angle exposing his bare neck. Whatever it takes to help Bucky feel better. Clark doesn't expect him to just be okay with being so near someone who could snap him in two without breaking a sweat. ]

How's your wrist?

[ Clark looks over the leg first. Two clean breaks. The ribs haven't punctured anything. Both should heal fine if Bucky rests. The shoulder, Clark can't do anything about. ]

[advanced]

[It's so very strange knowing that someone is looking inside him. He doesn't move, forcing himself to keep rigidly still until Clark asks about his wrist.]

Dislocated.

[He pulls his sleeve back a bit to reveal slight distended skin.]

I can probably snap it into place.

[signifies]

[ Bucky says he'll do it, so Clark doesn't offer to. He nods, standing up and moving back. ]

Enough proof?

[advanced]

[There's a single frozen moment, before Bucky actually snorts in surprised laughter. The sound is weird and a little repressed, like he hasn't done it in years.]

Yeah.

[Who was this guy?]

Enough proof.

[signifies]

[ Clark smiles faintly. ]

Will you be all right?

[advanced]

[The smile is gone pretty quickly, but he remains slightly more relaxed.]

I've had worse.

[Which is a good enough answer as far as he's concerned.]