riverviewlogs | turn back time;

who: Bucky and OPEN
what: Various prompts spanning Prijata, the AU, and just random things.
when: The month of June
where: Around and about
warnings: Panic attacks

notes: Because this spans pre-AU and during-AU Bucky, I don't mind if anyone wants to tag in more than once to interact with both bits. Open to new or existing CR. If there isn't a prompt you like, just PM me and I'll work one out with you!

[i: Prijata; around the abandoned city and Quarantine]

[Bucky has been delivered a lot of unexpected things for the Prijata celebrations, gifts from people he never expected to get anything from, and gifts from anonymous sources. They're all thoughtful - food vouchers, clothes vouchers, survival equipment - but there's one gift that really takes him by surprise. A dog. An actual dog. The letter that comes with it states that this is a service dog designed to help veterans, she's his to borrow for six months and then either give her back or take her full time.

The things is...

He has no idea how to take care of a dog. It's not something he had as a kid, and the Soldier certainly wasn't given pets. He knows common sense things, like that she'll need to be fed and walked, but that's about it. Which is why he can be found in one of several places:

a) skulking around the various pet shops of Quarantine with a black lab trotting at his side.
b) sitting out in the outskirts of the abandoned town, throwing a stick idly for her and watching her return it.
c) awkwardly hoisting said dog into his arms so that he can climb the side of a building.]

[ii: Good and bad; at night down an alleyway; cw: panic attacks]

[Maybe it's being given the dog that's meant for a specific purpose that brings it to the surface, but Bucky has been dwelling more and more on his time as the Soldier. It leaves him on edge, tenser than usual, and less willing to mingle with the crowds. He doesn't sleep for as long as he can, unwilling to leave himself vulnerable to attack, but in the end he's only human.

Whenever he does manage to get some sleep, his dreams are far from pleasant, enough that he's not exactly a silent sleeper. The occasional moan might draw attention to his hiding spot, and anyone who tries to disturb him will find that he's not in the mood for it at all.]

[iii: Sergeant Barnes; AU plot; the park]

[It's absolutely amazing!

Of course he's been here for a few months now, but it's still mind boggling that he could be living in a place where there were people from all sorts of places and times. It's like one of those dime novels he used to read, all aliens and fanciful technology. He can still barely believe cell phones are a thing, he can only imagine how much this might have enhanced the war effort back home.

The only problem is... he doesn't seem to have a place to stay. All of his stuff was down an alleyway with him, and that's not exactly ideal. He's dressed in world war two uniform, having not quite got round to getting changed yet, with the insignia of a Sergeant clearly visible. Though he's obviously still Bucky, same face and same body, there are differences that might make him hard to identify. He's clean shaven, he doesn't walk with the wariness of a predator stalking prey, and he's smiling.

He even raises a hand in a friendly and lazy sort of greeting, friend or newcomer.]

[iv: Wildcard; anywhere; anytime]

[Got something you want to do with Bucky or Sergeant Barnes? Put it here, and let's do it!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ It's really nice, and Clark slings an arm around his friend's shoulders gently. He's always found it easier to express affection like this than reassuring words. ]

You know that's a euphemism in the future, right? [ Teasing. ] I don't know how to dance.

[He doesn't mind at all, he and Steve were always open with one another like this, and Clark is a good friend.]

How can you not know how to dance? [Just leaving that euphemism part alone.] You haven't lived.

[ Clark ducks his head. ]

I was usually staying inside to read.

[ A wrong step from him and someone would end up in the hospital with broken bones. ]

We are gonna rectify that, my friend. After we've eaten, I'm taking you someplace quiet and teaching you how to dance. You'll be able to sweep Lois off her feet when you see her again.

[He grins and turns towards one of the more traditional diners.]

Lunch is on me, okay? I have a bunch of vouchers from someplace.

[ Lois would argue he already does that, very literally.

Clark ducks his head. His cheeks don't turn pink easily, but he's feeling self-conscious on the inside. He's not insecure about his ability to be in a relationship, but it's so sweet of Bucky to want to help him.

He's so genuine. It's hard not to mourn this. Clark is already so angry at the people who hurt him. ]

No, please, that's not fair. Split the bill?

You can treat me next time; besides, I wasn't kidding around, look--

[He fishes into his pockets and pulls out a literal wad of vouchers. Not just for the various food stalls, restaurants, and supermarkets of Quarantine, but also for clothes and shoe shops too.

Seems like most people had the same idea for Prijata.]

I'm never going to use all of these on my own, and food tastes better with friends to share it with.

[ Clark sighs and gives in. ]

Just this once.

[He grins widely and throws an arm around Clark's shoulders again, pulling him in to the nearest place.]

I better get you ordered before you change your mind.

[He slides into a booth seat and, for a moment, just looks at the menu before glancing up at Clark.]

Does the uniform really bother you that much?

[ Clark, who can't be moved unless he wants to be, goes with it.

He puts his bag down and points to a coffee he'd like to try. ]

It doesn't. I thought you were wearing it for a different reason.

What other reason would I be wearing my uniform?

[He points out a plate of waffles and some coffee when the waitress comes over for himself, and the coffee Clark wants to try.]

[ Clark shakes his head.

It's so odd to hear Bucky's biometrics so stable. ]

I wouldn't know. [ He doesn't touch the coffee yet, waiting for Bucky to get his food. ] Thanks, I hope this tastes as good as it smells.

Anytime, you're gonna need the fuel if I'm gonna teach you to dance right.

[He slouches back in his seat.]

Say, have you seen Steve lately? I went by his rooms and he wasn't there.

[ Clark frowns. Steve isn't one of the people he listens for, but he knows the sound of his heartbeat too. ]

No, I haven't. I'll check.

[ He doesn't have to hide how he turns his head. His eyes narrow as he scans the city and the forest. After listening, he turns to look, frowning at the wall. ]

I'm sorry James, I can't find him anywhere.

Bucky, only my Ma calls me James.

[But the correction is said in a distracted voice, any happiness already gone from his face to make him look much more like who he becomes in the future.]

I've gotta go and check the records, Clark.

[He has to know if Steve is gone, or... worse.]

[ Clark nods. ]

Of course. Do you want me to fly you there?

No. I mean-- yeah, sorry.

[He initially thought to run, but Clark would probably get him there faster. He's already abandoning uneaten food.]

[ They make their apologies to the staff. Once they're outside, Clark beckons him into the alley. ]

Put your arm around my shoulder and hold on.

[There's no hesitation as Bucky does just that; aside from his need to find out about Steve being driving and urgent, it's also obvious that he completely trusts Clark.]

Thanks.

[ It feels like cheating the older one. Clark will ask him about it later, then, to make sure things are okay between them. ]

Of course.

[ They don't have time, so the scenery is a blur and Clark lands on the roof of the station. He'll wait for Bucky downstairs at the front door. ]

[He doesn't even say thank you, he just slams through the doors of the building and straight to where the records are kept. It doesn't take him long to get the truth, but it's a while before he comes out all the same, because he's triple checking to make sure.

His shoulders are slumped when he comes out, expression sombre, though he's trying to put a brave face on it.]

Yeah-- he's, uh, he went back through the portal.

[ He has more important things to do than say thank you.

Clark heads towards him, looking concerned. ]

I'm so sorry. Do you need some space to decompress?

[He feels kind of a heel for it, considering Clark is here because of helping Bucky get here, but he nods all the same.]

Yeah, I think I have to be alone for a bit.

[ Clark squeezes his shoulder. ]

I'll be around. Take care.

[He mumbles a thanks, but doesn't hang about any longer, just walking off down the street deep in thought.]

turn back time;

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