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

[advanced]

who: Bucky (MCU), Steve (MCU), and Taako
what: Bucky has a broken leg, Taako and Steve help.
when: A few hours after this thread.
where: An alleyway on the outskirts of town
warnings: Broken bones, possible violence

[He's used up the last of his energy to get back to one of his rudimentary shelters, just some cardboard and a stolen raincoat propped up like a tent, without showing any sign of a limp despite the pain from walking on a broken leg.

He just about gets back behind the bins where he's hidden from view, mostly, before he collapses. Unconsciousness follows pretty quickly.]

Comments

[advanced]

[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.]

[spellslots]

[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.]

[starspangled]

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.

[advanced]

[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.

[spellslots]

[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.]

[starspangled]

[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.

[advanced]

[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.

[spellslots]

[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.]