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who: Bucky Barnes, Steve Rogers, Tony Stark
what: The boys break a mech. As you do.
when: Jan 20th
where: The abandoned city
warnings: None atm.

[Bucky and Steve seemed a natural choice to co-pilot a mech. They get along well, they know each other's fighting styles like the backs of their own hands, and they pick up on new technology relatively quickly. So they strapped in and headed out to combat one of the giant beetles that peeled off a bit from the rest of the herd.

Tony gets a call over the radios about two hours later, requesting some engineering help to get the mech back up and running.

When he arrives, well. What used to be a state of the art Perimeter Guard mech is looking kind of crumpled, and it's currently smoking, and sparking ominously from the controls. One of the arms is bent at a strange angle and it's taken more than a few falls, judging from the dents and dings in the metal.

Bucky's uniform is a little singed as well, around the edges, and he's wiping some soot off his face as he stands near the wreckage.]

It just started sparking like that, really.

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[When the call goes out for a repair, Tony answers it without thinking. He's been pulling double duty between making himself available for mechanical help and going out himself in the armor when he can so he's looking a little manic around the edges, but he's in his element. The mechs they've apparently produced out of somewhere are a little buggy at best, so they've been keeping him plenty busy. He's seen all sorts of interesting failures at this point.

The sheer level of destruction he's faced with when he arrives still manages to shock him into going still. Somehow, he can't bring himself to be surprised by the man he finds standing in front of it. Either of them. Tony's exasperated stare travels from one of them to the other.]

...how.

[Just started sparking, his ass.]

[The teamwork goes well at first. Technically, it was successful, because the two of them did work well together. They just both contributed to the decidedly less optimal plan that led to the damage. Steve is standing next to their mech, arms folded across his chest like he's somehow disappointed in the machine for doing exactly what he wanted it to do.]

These things aren't tough enough. They should have better defense against a few knocks if they're made to herd big creatures.

[He's not impressed by the robot.]

[They were probably not supposed to take on the bugs as head-on as they did. Herding probably would have been a better idea, but they're not the type to skirt a fight, and honestly, someone should have seen this coming.]

I think it managed to slice some of the wiring? That was probably important. [Bucky looks slightly more apologetic than Steve when he offers that bit of information, motioning to- well it's all a wreck so who knows what wiring he's specifically talking about.]

...yes. The wiring is clearly the problem here.

[Of course the two of them had just decided to use the damn thing as a battering ram. Tony's not sure why he even bothered to ask.

But the wiring is at least something that he's equipped to handle at the moment, so with an exasperated huff, Tony stalks over to the downed machine and starts climbing towards the control panel.]

Why do I get the feeling you idiots would have done exactly the same thing without the robot?

[It's a rhetorical question. But it's something to keep him amused as he hauls himself up.]

Can you fix it?

[Steve asks as if he detected no hint of sarcasm at all in Tony's assessment. Whether he's being intentionally obtuse or genuinely ignorant, he's serious about the question. He might have done more than his fair share of encouraging the battle plan (which was successful enough), but he's aware that the damages have their costs. When the equipment breaks down, the users pay for it.]

If it's too bad, I guess we can go back out on foot.

[He glances to Bucky for confirmation, actually sounding somewhat more contrite this time, before turning his attention back to Tony.]

I thought something that heavy would be able to shove at least one of the bugs back. We weren't really scaring them by standing there.

[Back him up, Bucky!]

I mean, the chassis is pretty dented, but we don't really mind how it looks. [Literally all of it is dented and some of the electrical components are smouldering. But Tony Stark can fix everything, right? Right. Surely. They have faith in Tony's skills.

Also sorry about the control panel. Bucky got thrown into it, and there's an elbow-shaped dent in part of it where he broke his fall with the metal arm.] Hey, it worked. We took one of those things out before the suit gave up the ghost.

[He nods, agreeing with Steve.] Herding wasn't really workin' out. One peeled off and so we had to go take it on.

[Tony sighs a little as he perches on a convenient dent and surveys the damage, only half listening to the explanations. They played too hard with a new toy and broke it. Not the most complicated thing ever.]

I can probably fix the main controls. [Though he looks even a little dubious about that.] Not sure if it will stand back up even if I get it running, though. An fixing the structural damage might take more time than it's worth.

[The unspoken offer that he's willing to do it anyway if they want him to is pretty clear.]

[Tony sounds displeased and Steve takes that assessment at face value, but he isn't discouraged. Instead, he just nods, thinking that their plan was worth it even if they did lose one of the robots. Like Bucky said, they had to take it on.]

If anyone can do it, I'm sure you can find a way. If we need to, we'll work around it, but I'm sure you can make something out of it.

[Steve looks to Bucky with a half-grin.]

We might be stuck doing things the old fashioned way after all. At least for a while.

Might have to scrap it, then. [Bucky says to Tony, a hand on his hip, surveying the damage like he has any idea on how to fix it. He doesn't, really. It's probably too broken.] Steve and I are wantin' to get back out as soon as we can. You'd think they'd have built these things a little tougher.

[They're prototypes and that's probably why, but you know.

He glances back at Steve, returns the half-grin.] Old-fashioned is what we're good at. Hey, I think the Guard has some anti-tank RPG-launchers in a shed somewhere.

[Tony just barely resists the urge to knock his head against the still-sparking control panel. Sure, what the two of them clearly need is a way to be more destructive.]

What, you don't want to just charge at them barehanded?

[He jokes, but he also wouldn't put it past them.]

So am I fixing this thing or not?

Well, I don't want to, but if we have to, I think we could figure it out.

[Steve looks to Bucky for confirmation. They could, right? But he's at least aware that Tony is getting frustrated with their shenanigans. He's still not really sorry for the damage done, but he tries to compromise.]

Yes. We need to get it back in action. Can you do anything about the shielding?

[You know you love them, Tony.]

We could figure it out if we had to. [He agrees with Steve, flexing metal fingers. 'Bare-handed', he can do.] But we'd rather not have to.

If it's fixable, I'd say yeah? I can help you knock some of the dents out of the framing if they're going to be an issue.

[Alright, so time to take this seriously. Tony straightens a little and gives the mess of metal in front of him a more critical once-over.]

I can fix it.

[Of course he can, he's Tony Stark. He absently stretches his arms up over his head like he's anticipating what this is going to do to his back, but he can't say he's not looking forward to the challenge]

Might need some occasional muscle. Try not to wander too far while you're looking for trouble?

We're counting on you.

[Maybe Steve is following Bucky's nicer lead or maybe he's just encouraged by the fact Tony says he can fix things. Because of course he can. That's a sentiment more familiar to Steve and he likes when things are reliable. Tony being a tech master is something he can understand and relate to.]

Heavy lifting shouldn't be a problem. Is there anything you need us to get? Since we'll be running anyway.

[Steve casts an amused look to Bucky. They may or may not get into some trouble, despite Tony's warning.]

[They can always count on Tony. That never seems to change, even in a place where different worlds and timelines converge. Bucky shoots him a smile.] Knew you could.

[He agrees with Steve, looking a little too enthusiastic about the idea of finding trouble.] We'll stick close by. Just tell us what you need.

[Tony rolls his eyes a little at the sudden wave of encouragement, but the expression is more fond than not and neither of them can see it anyway.]

Gonna start in on the wiring first, since if that doesn't work, the whole thing is pretty much scrap. Should be good for that. I'll shout if I need anything else. Or if I need structural work.

[Frankly, the idea of the two of them punching out dents is too entertaining to be passed up.]

I make no guarantees on fixing heads if either of you gets that knocked in.

Sounds good to me.

[Of course Steve would have no objections to the idea of punching dents out of metal or bending it back into place. He barely notices that Tony might just be making fun of them both.]

If we run into any trouble, we'll give you a call. You can fly in as the cavalry and give the bugs a good scare. I bet they'll think you look like a wasp.

[He turns to Bucky, blue eyes bright with enthusiasm.]

You think we can chase off more bugs with or without the giant robot?

[Just kidding, Tony. He appreciates the hard work.]

I don't think there's any kinda wasp those things are scared of. [He points out with a snort, flexing metal fingers. The machinery of his arm whirrs gently.

Bucky shoots a bright grin at Tony, eyes all alight with adrenaline.] Don't worry about us, we ain't relishing the idea of a trip to medical any time soon. They make you stay in bed, it's boring. [Then at Steve,] Only one way to find out.

[That does pull a snort of a laugh out of Tony as he glances over his shoulder at them. Even he can see the both of them practically vibrating with barely restrained energy, so he just waves a hand.]

So go play and let me genius. Bring me back a beetle shell or something, I don't know.

[Honestly he has no doubt that they probably could if they want to. He's likely going to regret even bringing it up but too late now.]

[Well, now that Tony suggested it, Steve is going to do it. Partly because he thinks Tony has some plan he can use the beetle shell for and partly for the challenge. When he and Bucky get together, they tend to fall into the old war routine, treating the mission as a way of playfully competing and seeing what they can pull off as they shoot comments back and forth at each other.]

We'll see what we can do about the souvenir.

[Tony's going to end up with multiple shells.]

And Bucky's right. We'll be careful. Just make sure to call us back if you get into any trouble, okay?

[Steve nods to Bucky.] As if you'd say in bed.

[Bucky grins a little wider at that, no doubt taking it the same way as Steve - as a challenge, a fun little add-on to their mission that they'll compete over.] Beetle shells, got it. [Hopefully Tony has a plan for them because he's getting some.]

You should be clear for now, we'll keep the bugs from stomping this way. [He adds on to Steve's direction to call them back if Tony gets into any trouble. Tony can handle himself, of course, but these two can be a mite protective at times.

He makes a face at Steve.] You're the one who doesn't stay in bed. I'd stay put if I had a pretty nurse.

[Tony's all set to get to work as he pulls out his tools to spread them out next to him, but he can't help bursting out a quick:] oh my god [as the two start bickering at each other.

The only reason he doesn't throw a wrench at them is because he knows he'd have to go fetch it back, and that's just undignified.]

Fine, great. Will you two go away now? I'm trying to genius here.

[Tony's outburst just earns him a smirk from the blond. He's even more amused by the man's response than his banter with Bucky, but at least it puts a temporary end to the argument.

It also unfortunately gets Steve to straighten up and give Tony a decidedly sarcastic salute.]

Yessir! We'll let you know what we find.

[Steve gestures to Bucky as he heads off. And he's definitely bringing Tony a beetle shell back.]

[Bucky grins a little wider too, when Tony reacts to the two of them bickering like children. They're both a handful, and they know it; Tony is a good man for putting up with them.]

Genius away, don't let us stop you. We'll be back in a jiff. [He salutes jauntily, teasingly, and follows after Steve into the wilderness. They're definitely bringing back beetle shells.]

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