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(no subject)

who: Clark and Bucky
what: Making friends and influencing people.
when: Today.
where: The abandoned part of the city.
warnings: None.

[ There are a lot of areas in the abandoned city impassable for humans. Clark's been exploring them when he can: most often he's out here for short periods of time, or with Ellie.

The past week he's been here on his own, hard at work clearing the rubble and securing the area. It's a distance from the outer fence, but that won't stop any of the bigger monsters. Clark is more worried about others with abilities coming across it when it's being used, but he plans to be here with its intended occupant during that time. Looking after him is the same as promising to be there when it's needed.

He tracks the whir of Bucky's arm, and waits until Bucky's alone. Clark lands slowly a few metres away, speaking with concern. ]

How've you been?

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[ Clark can identify him by his voice, or the sound of his body. The arm is really convenient.

No use emphasising that. ]

I have something I wanted to talk to you about. I've built a place deep in the city. No one can get there without being noticed. [ If they were, Clark would stop them easily. ] Would you like to see it?

[He's not sure if Clark is trying to tell him that he's built a place specifically to contain Bucky should it be needed, or just that he's built a place for himself and it can coincidentally hold Bucky too.

Either way, it seems a bit too convenient.]

Why would you build a place like that? You have an apartment and you live in it, I've seen you.

Not all the time.

[ Bucky followed him for a while. Clark 'sleeps' there maybe once a week. He prefers being out here. ]

I try not to be around other people.

[ It helps him be less afraid, and stop needing to pretend he's ordinary. Clark's practiced at looking unremarkable, but he doesn't always wear it well. Someone might notice.

They might not be as charitable to him as Bucky has been. ]

Why not?

[He knows the man can be dangerous, but he seems like the sort that can be dangerous in the same way that Steve can be dangerous... he possesses the ability to, but he's unlikely to ever make use of it in the wrong way.]

I'm not sure if you noticed: I'm an alien.

[ He smiles, faintly wry.

People are afraid of what's different. Clark can't be hurt by anything on Earth. It doesn't make for a good combination.

That's before getting into the question of experimentation. ]

So?

[He can understand being perhaps a little wary if he thinks he might be dangerous, but being an alien in itself doesn't seem that bad.]

In case you haven't noticed, there's a lot of people here who aren't average humans.

[ Bucky's bluntness takes him aback. Having people who are different is a novelty, true, but it won't mean kinship.

He's the only one of his kind. ]

Where I'm from, it's rare. It's best to be careful.

[That's a sentiment he can understand, even if he still doesn't quite understand why Clark does it when he seems to perfectly pass as human and isn't in the habit of hurting other people.

So he nods, wariness dissipating a little.]

You're going to show me in case you have to imprison me there?

[ Clark shakes his head. ]

You can leave there anytime. I wanted to know if you'd feel comfortable staying there for a few days if you ever had to.

[ If Bucky says no then Clark will use it for himself alone. ]

[For once, the usual neutral set of his expression is cracked by naked surprise. That wasn't an offer he was expecting.]

I'm not good being around people.

[It's not a no, though. Having somewhere to go sometimes where he knows the only other resident can take him out might not be a bad thing.]

Neither am I.

[ Clark gives him a small smile. ]

We're not ordinary people, either.

[He thinks about denying that, but what's the point when he knows Clark can hear the evidence of how he's not ordinary?]

Alright. Show me.

[He's not promising that he'll use it, but he's willing to look.]

[ Clark takes this as his cue to approach. Slowly. ]

It's faster if we fly. You don't get airsick, do you?

Edited (tweaked) 2017-03-23 22:51 (UTC)

[He doesn't move back, but he doesn't look entirely welcoming either.]

Is it possible to get there on foot?

[He doesn't get airsick, but he's not sure how much he trusts being so dependent on someone else for any length of time.]

It's very difficult but not impossible.

[ It's only impossible for a human. ]

[Bucky is still human, just pushed to the upper limits of what a human body should ever be capable of.]

Then I'll go on foot. You can fly overhead to show the way, if you want.

All right.

[ He'll have to be careful, flying low enough for Bucky to see him and make sure no one else does. People aren't in the habit of looking up, but things are different here. ]

This way.

[It's probably a really stupid idea, deciding to go for a difficult journey on foot when he's still wearing a splint over a broken leg, but Bucky is nothing if not determinedly stubborn.

So he sets off at a jogging pace, refusing to favour one leg more than the other even if Clark might hear the soft rub of bone, following wherever Clark leads.]

[ It's a really stupid idea.

Clark lasts about half a minute. ]

Should you really be putting weight on your leg? It's difficult terrain.

[The look he shoots Clark is clearly a warning not to push it.]

I've run in worse, I can handle it.

[ Clark meets it steadily with an expression of open concern. ]

You shouldn't have to.

[The concern itches under his skin and makes him think of someone else who looks at him that way, which just has his jaw firming stubbornly.]

Just keep going.

If you're sure.

[ He glances at the shoulder again, before shaking his head to himself and rising just above the tree-line. Listening to the forest is easier from here. Clark's also not one for small-talk. While he wouldn't find it awkward to walk quietly in front of Bucky, humans like to fill up silence. ]

[Bucky appreciates the silence as well, it lets him just focus on moving.

Even with a broken leg, he still moves with the silent grace of a predator, something trained into him over many years. It's not how he used to move as Sergeant Barnes, but it's something he can't get rid of now.

He'll follow as long as it takes, even if some of the obstacles are hard to get over, until they reach wherever Clark's hideout is.]

[ Clark has met soldiers. This is different.

He listens instead of watching. It's less unnerving, probably. Clark keeps them off the radar of anyone else in the forest and any monsters. It's well past nightfall when they finally reach, a long drop towards the ground. It's very secluded. ]

I haven't carved in a way for you to get down or climb up.

[ He was hoping Bucky would choose the best place for it after having a look around. Stairs are out of the question. Clark doesn't want to make this easy for anyone not Bucky. ]

May I help you down?