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]

[He does note the metal cuff, but he has no idea what it is and he's not familiar enough with the technology style to recognise it as SHIELD tech. For all he knows, it could be anything from a weapon to a fancy wrist-watch.]

I told you want I want from you.

[Fear over the resemblance and the name is translating into aggression. His voice remains low, but his entire stance is screaming threatening.]

I don't want you anywhere near me. Go away.

[livingsymbol]

[The rebuff doesn't actually drive Steve back. Instead, the blond frowns, fixing his eyes on the dirty man that seems so agitated by his company.]

You know Steve Rogers. You recognized my name just now. Do you think that Steve Rogers is going to walk away from someone that's in need of help?

[The man has severely underestimated him. Now that he's been tipped off that the man knows him, he wants answers even more.]

What happened?

[advanced]

[Another Steve Rogers. It blows his mind, but why not? There's another him running around, a better adjusted one with a shield painted on his arm rather than a Soviet star, one who can live among other people. Why wouldn't there be another Steve too?]

I don't need help.

[Except he does know that. Steve is stupidly persistent when he thinks that he's doing the right thing.]

You can't be near me. [A pause, and then a word that comes out as if through gritted teeth.] Please.

[livingsymbol]

You don't have food, right? That counts as needing help.

[But he does say it more gently than before. This time he doesn't push so much, although he stays near Bucky, clearly concerned and stuck on this idea that the man he met is in need.]

Look, if you don't want money, you can just pay me back. I don't want you to go hungry.

[There's confusion in his eyes when he's told he can't be near him. He pulls back slightly when the word "please" is hissed out, the concern on his face growing.]

What's wrong?

[advanced]

Fine, give me money.

[If that's what it takes to get Steve to walk away from him, then he'll take the damn money. He's just twitchy as all hell, and having Steve near him, even if it's not his Steve, makes it all ten times worse.

This was his last target. What if whatever they put in his head is still hiding in there? What if he ends up hurting Steve?

He holds his hand out as if to accept money, the aggression of the gesture making his sleeve ride up just a little to show off shiny metal beneath.]

[livingsymbol]

[Steve reaches into his pocket to fish out some money for the man that seems desperate enough to steal, but also desperate to get away. He doesn't know why, until-

He tenses up when he sees the metal arm peek out from beneath the sleeve. Steve's gaze turns up quickly to the man's face again, searching.]

Bucky?

[There's a soft tremor in his voice when he says that name.]

Your name. Is it Bucky?

[advanced]

[The way his eyes widen when he's asked, a mixture of fear and desperation behind the controlled mask, probably answers his question far better than the lie he dredges up only a second or two later.]

No.

[He snatches the money and stuffs it in his pocket.]

Don't follow me.

[livingsymbol]

[The denial only makes his heart clench. Now that he's noticed the arm, Steve starts to see the man in a new light. He loses the money easily, still shocked by the reality of who he's talking to, but doesn't let him go.]

Bucky, wait! Please. It's Steve.

[He can't keep the desperation out of his voice.]

[advanced]

I know who you are.

[It comes out through gritted teeth, this is exactly what he'd been hoping to avoid when he got the introduction and figured out who this big dumb blond was that had been following him.]

And I told you, you have it wrong, I'm not who you think I am.

[livingsymbol]

[I know who you are. The way he says it is cold. Distant. And that just makes the acknowledgment worse.]

You're James Barnes. Bucky. You're Steve Rogers' partner. His friend. The best one he ever had.

[The dumb blond is also the stubborn blond, unable to just let go.]

[advanced]

I said no.

[He swallows hard, resisting the urge to lash out or just run for it.]

You don't know what you're talking about. Now back off.

[livingsymbol]

I do know. I was the one that let him down.

[Steve at least doesn't try to reach for him again.]

I thought he was dead. He almost was, because I didn't help him.

[advanced]

Shut up.

[He whirls on Steve, fists clenched. It's not the same Steve, and it's not that hated 'til the end of the line', but it's the same sort of sentiment and it digs right under his skin.]

[livingsymbol]

[Steve stays put, ready for a punch that doesn't come.]

I'm sorry.

[advanced]

Don't come near me again.

[He doesn't want the apology, it's the final nail in the coffin that does make him turn and run.]

[livingsymbol]

Buck-

[And then Bucky takes off, with a final damning statement that stabs Steve through the heart. It might not be the man he knows, but being told to stay away by any Bucky is enough to hurt. He almost gives chase. Almost, despite what he was just told.

In the end, he lets him go, but the thought haunts him long after that.]