Every fight has a purpose (Open)

[peacemongering]

who: Alexander Pierce & Open
what: Come visit him at the hospital or home during his recovery.
when: Beginning-Mid April
where: Riverview Hospital / Communal Housing
warnings: None yet


i. Hospital
[Alexander was no slouch when it came to pain, but it had been quite some time since he had been injured so severely that he could recall. After the Winter Soldier had fled after assaulting him, he had managed to stagger his way out of his office until an employee had come across him and made a fuss of calling for medical assistance.

The Riverview Hospital was a fine establishment; he often volunteered his time there comforting and playing games with those who were there for the long haul. This was his first time being admitted as a patient, and while he wouldn't remember much of the first few days thanks to the miracles of excellent pain management therapy, he was taken to surgery to repair the broken cheek bone that caused his eye to sag in the socket. The surgery certainly didn't help with any of the bruising that he had developed and the whole right side of his face was a blackened bruise with an impressive shiner to boot.

He had a line of fine sutures at his hairline, and his recovery had been fraught with headaches. It was difficult to read books, work on his crosswords or even to watch television. He often contented himself with a request of a radio to listen to classical music. He chatted with the nurses and doctor stuff when he could but otherwise, he looked forlorn at sitting in a hospital room looking out the window.

Mentally, he was planning where to take this situation for his own express benefit. There would be many that would say he deserved the strike, though he hadn't yet revealed how the incident had occurred. Whenever the medical staff had asked, he simply said it was a private matter and the individual in question was in a difficult place.

So, any visitors while he was awake were appreciated. He tried to work when he wasn't fighting a headache, but otherwise, he lay in patient wait for his discharge date.]

ii. Communal Housing

[His release date had been delayed until he could prove he could walk steady on his feet and ascend and descend stairs well. Even then, he made certain to move gingerly on uneven surfaces and when he was climbing the stairs. Some of the staff had been concerned that he lived alone and that it was not the best scenario to release him into with the occasional headache that he suffered from. He was an adult, and he was certain he could continue to mind himself just fine, thank you very much.

He made his way back to his room in the Communal Housing complex with a small bag of groceries, finding it unfair that he had missed such an exciting festival. No matter, he took himself up the stairs and unlocked his door, shuffling inside after a nod of greeting to anyone that was passing by. His facial bruises now had a wonderfully distinct greenish hue to them and they were yellowing at the edges, but he had clearly been in some kind of accident.

Inside and the first matter of business was settling the kettle to boil for a cup of tea. He was planning on returning to work very soon, not willing to be cooped up in the apartment. Besides, there were important people to check in with, projects that would be awaiting his final approval before heading into testing phase.

Any visitors to his small abode were also welcome, though he wasn't as well-sorted to receive guests as he normally was. Still, he would answer the door with any number of his usual greetings.]

Comments

Hospital

[jolting]

[Victor usually tried to visit Pierce whenever he was on shift. He'd been the one to do the surgery and liked checking in to see how the man was recovering. At least he was taking it a little better than Ren had.

He had not been one of the staff who asked how Pierce had been injured. That sort of bruise was clearly from a fight, and the details behind it were Pierce's business. Making sure the man recovered was Victor's]

You should get out. Take a walk. You look pathetic just sitting there staring out the window.

[Always depend on Victor for the best bedside manner]

[peacemongering]

[One of the benefits of being in the hospital was that it allowed him new opportunities for convincing the good doctor to coming and working for him full time instead. He may have been providing space for... extra-curricular activities, but he would clearly be needing medical staff closer to home now that he had taken the hit that he had.

He turned his gaze from the window when Dr. Whale entered, folding his hands neatly in his lap.]

Well, under previously circumstances, I would have family all flocked around my bedside and wouldn't nearly look as pathetic as I do.

[He wasn't able to be as expressive as before, but he knew that would come once all the bruising had gone.]

Are you offering to walk with me? I've thought of yet a new proposition.

[jolting]

[It's true Victor hasn't really devoted himself to Prometheus Labs as much these days, focusing his scientific knowledge on Lucy more than anything. But he does still offer the lab and its employees his medical services-- much to the annoyance of Ren.

He raises an eyebrow at those words]

Yeah, sure. Probably a good idea to have someone on the staff accompany you.

[peacemongering]

[He took no offense to not seeing Victor as much. The man clearly had matters of a personal nature to devote to, but there was no denying the skill. After all, he likely wouldn't scar.]

Are you saying I'm incapable to keeping myself on my feet? [His tone was light and amused, and he eased his way out of bed as if to prove a point. There were times when he wasn't as certain of his footing.]

I would be most upset if I had a brain injury. It's about the only part that works at full capacity.

[jolting]

I'm saying if you lose your footing, it's better to have someone close by who can help you.

One turn around the hospital. Let's see how you feel after that.

i. wait that's not a candy striper

[killthepast]

[ Failure.

That's what he feels, coiling in his gut, when-- finally freed from his temporary return to adolescence-- he finds out about Pierce's injuries.

True, Ren isn't his guard dog. His position with Prometheus is as part of the salvaging team, not the man's bodyguard. But still, he feels shame and rage and, above all, failure, over the attack on his mentor. He should have been present to defend Pierce, instead of...

Instead of being forced to face the person he once was.

When he manages a visit, he waits by Pierce's bed, with the first words out of his mouth: ]

Who was it?

[ It's clear in his voice that he has every intention of seeking retribution. ]

[peacemongering]

[He had expected that Kylo would come visiting when he was more lucid, and he was pleased to see the young man. He understood that there had been quite a few interesting events going on in the city, and it was a shame that he was trapped in the hospital and had to miss it all.

So when he woke from one of his many naps, he smiled as he saw the sullen young man by his bedside, and he reached out clumsily to pat at Kylo's hand (or in his general direction).]

An old associate. There is no need for you to raise your hackles over this.

[killthepast]

[ He looks down at Pierce's hand, reaching for his. It doesn't do much to mollify his anger, but the gesture does satisfy-- at least a bit-- that lost little boy in him who's always seeking the approval of a father. ]

No need? You were attacked.

[ He sounds incredulous, as if such a bold assault on his boss is an insult he can't even begin to tolerate. ]

[peacemongering]

I was assaulted, not exactly attacked. It was one punch and not even at full power either.

[He had seen men torn apart by the Soldier, had seen the damage a single punch could inflict if given the opportunity to be invested in destroying someone. He was still patient and quiet, a calm point in the storm that was Kylo's temper.]

It was a good gauge to know his limitations.

[killthepast]

[ Ren mulls over that, then speaks: ]

So you provoked him. To learn how far you could push him? You put yourself in danger deliberately?

i;

[neversurrender]

[Steve finds out about Pierce's admission into the hospital shortly after it happens. He's been keeping close tabs on the man's movements and keeping his ear to the ground for any mentions and rumors of Prometheus Lab's CEO. It had been surprising news to hear, what with the fact that a majority of people seem to be taken in by Pierce's innocent, charming old man shtick. It seems unlikely that anyone would want to do him harm.

Except for a very small select few. And if it wasn't him, that narrows the choices by about half. Still, he waits several days before visiting, wanting to see what Pierce's next move would be. If he would name his attacker. But he doesn't. And something about that worries Steve more then if the man had named Bucky.

So one afternoon he stops by Pierce's room, eyes widening just a fraction once he sees the bruising. He takes position against the wall across from Pierce's bed.]

You seem to be healing well.

[peacemongering]

[It was easier to sleep with his undamaged cheek against the pillow for obvious reasons. Most times he was left sleeping on his back with his face turned to the side, as was the case this time. It was annoying have to sleep so often, but then again, pain medication was good for drowsiness. It was perhaps more annoying he couldn't read as much as he usually would, so he was deeply behind on work.

He had calculated the number of people that could reasonably show up to check on him, or at least to check if he was dead or dying. Steve Rogers was one of them, but he figured the chance to come were two-fold to make certain he hadn't hurt the Soldier and to potentially add an injury if provoked.

He turned his head and opened his eyes, though the left opened more then the right. He folded his hands over his belly and sighed.]

I am under good medical care, so it is expected I'll make a full recovery.

[neversurrender]

[His feelings are reasonably mixed about Pierce's state of health. On one hand, it's good that he'll get better and seemingly isn't planning to drag Bucky's involvement into the light, something he's sure would change had the damage been greater. But at the same time he couldn't help but feel that Pierce deserves every ounce of pain he's feeling for all the times he's made Bucky scream.]

What did you say to him?

[He hadn't been sure he would ask until it was already out of his mouth. But he couldn't keep the curiosity at bay. Bucky isn't reckless like this normally. Steve is supposed to be the reckless one. Pierce must have hit a weak point somehow. Drove him to it. Of course, there's no telling whether he'll hear the truth from the other man or not.]

[peacemongering]

[That they were talking at all seemed to be some form of miracle, but he was under no illusions that Captain Rogers was here for any care of his well-being. No, this entire visitation was clearly to make certain that he wasn't about to spill the details on the Soldier assaulting him to the authorities. Protective as always.]

Why don't you ask him? His coming to meet with me is a private matter from my end.

[The Soldier forgot how many years he had spent watching and planning, how long they had worked together. Challenging him to any games of word-play was fraught with dangers.]

He is well, I take it?

[neversurrender]

[His arms cross over his chest, a show of him making himself comfortable that also disguises some of his obvious tells. If his arms are crossed then he can hide the urge he has to curl his hands into fists and let them fly. As much as he prefers a more straightforward approach, he knows it won't work against Pierce. The moment he lets the other man see that he's getting to him, he loses.]

Private because it's something you want to hide? Or private because you know if you say it I might just finish what he started?

[He twitches, but otherwise tries to keep his expression blank.]

Who knows.

Hospital

[ragnarsson]

[Ivar's been to the hospital often enough that he pays attention when gossip trickles on down as to who is there. He'd been visiting Laura at the end of last month and that's when he hears two nurses talking about Pierce. He decides to take time out at the beginning of this month to see him.

Ivar's in his leg braces today, limping about on the archaic mechanisms with the use of a hand crutch. He takes in the rather impressive bruising on the man's face. On a Viking, it wouldn't have looked out of place, but Pierce was old. Old people back tended not to get into fights unless they were actively trying to get into Valhalla. Ivar pulls up a chair and stiffly sits down into it.]

I hope you have an impressive story as to how this happened.

[peacemongering]

[It was no surprise that Ivar found him in the hospital; the young man had a fascination with the elderly and likely now an ever bigger one with the damage that he had suffered. He liked to think it looked worse than it actually was due to the bruising that spread far and wide. Surgery likely didn't help in settling the pooling blood either.

He lifted his eyes from the book he had been attempting to read when Ivar walked in, looking far taller with leg braces and yet somehow a bit less intimidating. He couldn't deny his own fascination with such an interesting facet of history. He still smiled and waited for the young Viking to sit down before he decided to say anything in return.]

I'm afraid the details will bore you, Ivar. I was not, in fact, throwing myself into the glory of combat.

[ragnarsson]

[Ivar looks the injuries over closely. The bruising makes it hard to tell what originally happened, but he supposes there must have been broken bones involved, or he wouldn't still be under observation.]

Then at least I hope it wasn't as mundane as tripping and hitting a wall.

[There's a reason why Ivar wants to die young and go to Valhalla sooner rather than later. He wasn't going to just wither away and keep getting hurt from the simplest of tasks. Not that it didn't already happen with his legs being the way they are, but still. Besides, it seems like the longer Vikings live, the more miserable they end up eventually becoming. He's witnessed that enough times firsthand.]

[peacemongering]

[Alexander could always trust that Ivar would want to know the details of conquest, and he could imagine the horror of such a young man falling down and breaking something. Frailty was not appreciated in the least by either of them.]

No, there was a fist impacting my face involved though.

[He was under observation in case he had hit his head on the floor when he fell down, as well as the fact that he was aged enough where it was a concern something vital had been shaken loose. Who knew. He appreciated the care as much as he resented being stuck in bed.]

[ragnarsson]

[Ivar winced in sympathy. He knew how a simple act like that could snap bones in two or completely crush them. He'd had too many broken legs over the course of his life not to understand what impacts that could have.]

Why did someone do that?

[Alexander seemed nice enough to Ivar's eyes. Though the old man's body was aged, his mind was still sharp, a combination that was reminiscent of the way Ivar's father had been towards the end of his life.]

hospital

[advanced]

[He really shouldn't be here, this is an absolutely terrible idea, and yet he couldn't seem to stop himself. He needs to know how much damage he's done and what the repercussions might be, he needs to know if Pierce has told anyone that is was him.

When he slips in, it's when the nurses aren't watching. He has his dog at his heels, and he sets her in the doorway of the room on guard to warn him if anyone is approaching.]

Will it heal?

[peacemongering]

[Alexander had been considering the probability that the Soldier would come, possibly even finish the job started. He doubted it would happen unless he pushed, of course, since it had been clear that the injuries he suffered were a loss of self-control rather than a sudden outburst of intention.

He was trying valiantly to work on a crossword puzzle with the familiar shape slipped into his hospital room, and he glanced at the clock. The nurse wouldn't be coming to check on him unless he requested it for a bit of time yet. His eyes glance at the dog, not at all surprised to see one.]

I've been receiving excellent medical care. [It wasn't a full answer.] What are you doing here?

[advanced]

[The dog is very well behaved and ignores Pierce entirely, ears pricked watching the corridor, on guard as she's been ordered to be. Bucky, however, has Pierce firmly in his sights and is watching him as if the bed-bound pensioner were a legitimate threat.]

I came to see if you would heal.

[Short statements this time, don't let himself be dragged into another verbal sparring match that he can't hope to win.]

Will you?

[peacemongering]

[He regarded the Soldier quietly for a moment and shifted to lay back in his pillows, folding his hands across his stomach and letting the silence play for a few seconds. It was partially due to the low-grade headache occurring behind his eyes.]

For what reason would you want to know? If you wish to finish the job, you're more than welcome to. I am no where close to your physical match.

[advanced]

I'm not interested in a discussion of reasons or why, I just want you to answer the damn question.

[How is Pierce this infuriating even after only a few seconds? Over at the door, Sasha begins to whine as she can hear Bucky getting more riled up.]