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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 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?

[It's a test of endurance, and his heart rate is up by the time they finally reach their destination, the pain in his leg harsh enough to throb with each beat of his heart. But his expression remains neutral, his voice level.

He leans over to try and gauge how far the drop is, and if the sheer cliff is made of rock or debris, anything he might be able to cling onto.]

You might not always be here to help me down, I can do it.

[Probably. Maybe.]

[ There's no ledges or places for a handhold. Clark was deliberate about that.

He looks at the leg, his jaw clenching. It's hard not to say anything when he can hear the pain. ]

We can circle around and find a place for you to climb down. It won't take me long to make one.

[ Maybe Bucky will at least rest while waiting. ]

[The drop is too far for him to just fall down, even Steve would probably get severely hurt if he tried it, but Bucky has an extra weapon in his arsenal that most people don't have.]

It's not necessary.

[And with that, he jumps at a calculated angle. About halfway down he juts his arm out and his gloved fingers dig into the rock easily, the vibranium alloy hard enough to puncture rock without problem, scattering pebbles and debris below as his fingers slow his descent enough to get him to the bottom without major injury. A wrench to his shoulder, but nothing too bad.]

[ HOE DON'T DO IT

oh my god ]

I don't suppose you could've warned me?

[ He'd nearly jumped after Bucky in shock, then slowly descended after his metal fingers dug into the rock, watching him. Clark shakes his head as soon as they both land. Now his shoulder's in even more pain.

He'll hit the same wall trying to say anything about it. Clark doesn't like this kind of powerlessness. ]

I'll get us something to eat.

[ No arguments. ]

[He knows that look intimately. Even if he can't remember all the exact circumstances surrounding why the look had been given to him, he can see it on the face of Steve Rogers both before and after the serum. The slightly clenched jaw, the eyes that show a mixture of concern and frustration, it nearly takes his breath away.

Perhaps it's the strange similarities to Steve that make him decide to keep trusting Clark a little more, because there's no better man than Steve Rogers.]

Thanks.

[For once, no arguments. He even gives a little more, perhaps in apology for the lack of warning.]

You can carry me back up when we leave.

[ Clark starts. He was expecting one. ]

If you're sure.

[ Clark won't make a secret of what he prefers, but he's not going to force Bucky unless he genuinely can't walk under his own power. ]

Here, sit down. I'll get firewood.

[ Around, there's scattered rock formations meant to look natural and haphazard to anyone looking down from the top of the cliff. They're all arranged into shelters of various sizes. One is a house meant to keep out the wind and rain. The others are for storage. Clark has even put some fallen trees to make this place seem like it's been here for a while.

It won't fool anyone looking closely, but he hopes to stay hiding in plain sight. Just like he's always done.

Clark fetches the firewood and starter from storage, and hands it to Bucky. He could do it with heat vision, but Clark's not in the habit of openly using that. It's not like strength or flight. Heat vision is a purely offensive power. ]

[It's a pretty impressive set up. It's very defensible, anyone trying to get down to here would be easily seen and precautions could be taken to either attack or hide, and it looks subtle enough to not be noticed from a distance.

Maybe it didn't take long to make, he has no idea what Clark is capable of beyond flight and having a body that's apparently made out triple strength vibranium. He could be fast too, stronger than even he let on before, there's no way of telling.]

I can really use this place?

[He takes the firewood and gets it into place, setting a merry little blaze flickering with the starter.]

[ Clark nods while he sets up the pot over the fire. He has three packets of instant soup that just need to be put in boiling water for a while (the best he could do on short notice that'd be stored here) and puts them next to Bucky for him to choose one. ]

Yes. Once you've walked around the perimeter, you can tell me where you want to climb up. I'll carve the handholds and ledges to your specifications.

Edited 2017-03-26 16:33 (UTC)

[That makes sense and he was planning on walking the perimeter anyway, he likes to scout an area out and get the lay of the terrain before he can be comfortable relaxing. Or relaxing as much as he ever does.]

I still don't get why you're doing this for me.

[That's the bit that doesn't make sense. So Clark gets what it is to be dangerous, wants to protect others from Bucky just in case, but it doesn't explain why he's being so nice to someone who's pretty much only ever answered him in monotone deflections and lies. Hell, the man still thinks his name is Simon.]

[ It's the right thing to do.

Clark sits down opposite him, measuring his words. ]

I understand why you're afraid. I couldn't always control my powers.

[ Even now, he worries. Clark only learnt to fly last month, and he's not very good at it yet. ]

My mom used to tell me it's good to go somewhere you don't have to worry, and you can stay there until you're ready to come back into the world. I hope this is it for you.

[So, there's the answer then, he's idealistic. A nice guy trying to do a good thing, and Bucky's going to hurt him if he lets him.]

That's probably not going to happen.

[He feels like he needs a lifetime to hide away from what he's done and figure himself out.]

And you don't understand, this has nothing to do with powers.

[ An idealist is out of touch with the real world. Clark is no visionary. He'd say he's hopeful.

He leans forward, clasping his hands. ]

Then help me understand.

[His jaw clenches, fear behind his eyes even if he doesn't let it seep through into the rest of his expression.]

Some things shouldn't be talked about.

[He doesn't even understand the full story, how's he meant to help Clark understand?]

[ Even with the best outward control, there's usually a physical response to fear from the heart, or the sound of muscles tensing.

Clark presses his mouth into a thoughtful line.

He speaks softly. ]

I don't agree.

[ He shakes his head. ]

You shouldn't have to be so afraid.

Edited 2017-03-27 09:23 (UTC)

[That elicits the softest snort of wry amusement. Clark is a good guy, but he really doesn't understand if he thinks Bucky shouldn't have to be afraid. It's probably fear that's kept him alive and free this long; and at least fear, no matter how uncomfortable, is proof that he's not the Soldier any more.]

I killed a lot of people, is that enough understanding?

[It's half harsh and half pleading. But he's not refusing to talk any more, he just doesn't know what to say. He might answer questions if asked, but he might not.]

[ Bucky doesn't strike him as a cold-blooded killer. A deliberate and private man, yes. One with demons. Not one that's likely to pick up the nearest assault rifle and march into a shopping mall ready to open fire.

Besides, they say the same about Clark over Zod's attack. Lois and the Planet are on his side, helping his public image. Clark doesn't know what he'd do if he didn't have their faith.

Too many people died. ]

What happened?

[He's not expecting the question to be so calm, not a lot of people will look at a killer with compassion and he's not even sure if he wants or deserves it. He shifts uncomfortably, tiny frown marring his forehead.]

Have you heard of HYDRA?

[It's a very wary, very guarded sort of question.]

As in the creature from Greek mythology?

[ He has a feeling that's not it. ]

[Well, that answers that question. His jaw tightens.]

How about the Nazis?

[ Clark nods. ]

Yes. World War Two. Are they affiliated?

[It's probably obvious from the way he's tensing up bit by bit, as well as the way his heart is racing, that this conversation is already very uncomfortable for him.]

Yeah, HYDRA started as the Nazi Deep Science Division during the war.

[He's sure he doesn't need to elaborate. If Clark has heard of the Nazis, he can probably imagine what the deep science division did.]

[ Sometimes what's important is uncomfortable and overwhelming. He'd like the truth, though not at the price of hurting Bucky.

Clark's brows furrow. His attention zeroes in on the arm, looking away quickly so as not to stare. ]

What are they now?

After the war ended, they formed into a secret organisation designed to guide the world to their vision of a future. Not that much different, their vision of a future involved a lot of innocent people dead.

[The first trace of bitterness colours his voice.]

I helped them get there.

How?

[ It's too grand a scale. Clark doesn't see how one person, even one above-average like Bucky, helps that along. He's one soldier. It seems like politicians or businessmen would be more useful. ]