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[His head snaps back with the force of the punch that he genuinely didn't see coming until a moment too late, vision whiting out for just a second. Manabu is stronger than he looks, that's for damn sure. Instinct nearly has him swinging back, and the whirring sound of his prosthesis as he curls his hand into a fist is pretty loud.

But he stops himself before he makes the move, just eyeing Manabu with a little more wariness and some respect.]

I'm sorry.

[It doesn't make them even, but he gets the gesture and Manabu certainly earned a free hit.]

Did I hurt you?

[More than just a bruise, he means.]

[...okay...so...

punching people's faces, on the bone...hurts...? it hurts. but Manabu's not really going to make a show of it, save for the gradual flexing of his fingers to offset the tingling in his knuckles.

it's also really weird how gratifying that was, because he's not the sort of person keen on doing the punches (he tends to be the one getting slugged). still, that just goes to show how much feels so unreal here, that something like that...is...

...also. they're just. in the road? Manabu's eyes wince, but not at the question.]

I'm fine but. We...shouldn't be out in the open like this. Right? [he glances up for a second.]

[Manabu is probably used to the expression that crosses Bucky's face then, it's the expression that says "I'm considering ditching this conversation before it gets difficult".]

I guess not.

[He sighs, but he does owe Manabu a debt that can't be paid by being a coward.]

We can go to yours, I suppose.

[he makes a soft noise of affirmation, but he doesn't really move beyond looking up and down the street, looking perplexed.]

Which...street is this? That might not even be smart, if it's...out of the way. [what was he doing?? he shakes his head a little, backing up a step.]

Well, no, where--where were you going? I don't think I expected to see you.

[Any reluctance is washed away in an instant, replaced with concern and a rising fear. Something is wrong.]

--shit. You don't remember where you were going? Are you hurt? Did you hit your head?

[Or where he is? This is like how Martin started. Memories going, until they were all gone, and then he was different. Bucky steps in close, abrupt and determined.]

Give me your arm.

[He needs to make sure those tattoos aren't wreathed in webbing now.]

Eh-?! [reflexively, Manabu bristles, eyes big. he leans away, blinking, catching the concern late.]

I--no, not that I'm aware of? [the only head-related pain he recalls is getting surprised clobbered by James. still, he's starting to realize being off isn't something to brush off here, and obliges, tilting his wrist to expose one of the spiraled antlers tattoos he's got.

same as it ever was.]

Think something else might be up? [besides all the things going down...some of them literally.]

[He examines the tattoo carefully, but there are no webs in sight. Relief flickers across his face, though only for a moment before he's right back to concern.]

Just checking something.

[He moves right along to try to gently tilt Manabu's head up so that he can look in his eyes, check for pupil dilation.]

How much do you remember about today?

[Manabu frowns, quietly watching the change in James' features. for a guy who is as quick to bark and go on the defensive to get the hell away from him, he sure doesn't bother hiding when he gives a crap. maybe he doesn't notice it?

not that it's a bad thing -- kind of the opposite, all things considered, but Manabu's used to doors (and fists) slamming in his face more than this.

also: this is the kind of thing the android Yuki was more apt to be doing than any of his other, gruffer comrades, so being able to compare someone as unkempt as James to the objectively beautiful medic is...ehhh...]

U-uh-- [jeez. can't they do this kind of thing not while at risk of falling people or animals?? that thought in mind, he jerks a thumb over his shoulder before starting to back up toward the sidewalk and buildings. at least stand under an awning before fussing, yanno?]

If I got my days straight... [which he very well may not.] Looking for building materials and resources. [blink. oh!] R-right, that--yeah. A hardware store is...what I was looking for. I'm almost positive.

[He only lets Manabu pull away from him when he's sure that the man's pupils are the right size and responsive enough, making this not a head wound. So it's-- the town? He knows he's had moments where he's felt his sense of self slipping, but it hasn't yet got bad enough for him that he's forgotten where he is or what he's doing?

He does follow Manabu fairly obediently to under an awning, but he doesn't lose that worried expression.]

Do you remember why? If it wasn't important, might be best to leave it for today. Something-- something ain't right.

[With him.]

[Manabu could point out that there's a whole lot in town that "ain't right," but that's more than a little redundant, isn't it? Manabu's not in too sour a mood to get cynical like that -- he's just confused, and not sure if he should be worried about that.

...especially if a guy like James seems to be worried for him. this is backward and weird.

his brow furrows as he works to remember, looking down at the sidewalk. what was it today? hardware...for all the...issues with things hitting roofs, right? that was one thing. and then...]

Uoh! [he perks up again.] Right, that safe house thing Mr. Wu is working on. I was going to see if I could find things to help with that! Just in case-- [he looks over at James.] Uh, see-- someone who's been here a while, he's trying to make a place that's a bit more secure, considering all the...y'know. And until I can get myself into that mayor office, I thought I may as well see if I could help get him what he needed, if it'd keep him or some other folks safe for a spell...

[It must be the town's influence. If it were anything more sinister, Manabu's memory probably wouldn't be coming back the way it is, though the fact that he had been rendered so utterly confused was concerning in and of itself.]

I've met him.

[Which surprises him, given how antisocial he is and how few people he's met.]

Seems like a place like that should already exist here, given how long it's been and what keeps happening. But I guess better now than not at all.

[A pause, and then:] I still think you oughta visit the store tomorrow. I'm not sure what happened, but if you're-- if something's wrong, you should be somewhere safe.

[that surprises Manabu, too. James talks to people? on purpose?]

Okay, but-- [big frown.] That would leave me with a whole lot of nothing, you know? I can't just sit in a room and let time tick on without doing anything about it. If it were you, I know you wouldn't.

It's all I have been doing for days now.

[Since he ran out on Manabu, basically. He's been holed up in one apartment room, afraid of going out and hurting other people, slowly winding back down from a state of intense panic.]

I don't think one day will make a difference.

Eh?! [he gives him an incredulous squint. what, really? what the heck. how can anyone sit still for even ten minutes here?

a little red-faced out of indignation:] Y-you don't know that for sure, though. And...neither do I! But even if I can't make a difference even when I try... [wow, he hates hearing that aloud.] It...feels wrong to waste time.

[a beat.

then, holding up a finger:] But...you're going to say "that's dumb," right?

I don't need to, if you already know it.

[But yes. Besides which, he happens to believe he was making the best difference he could by staying inside, where he couldn't get the blood of any more innocents on his hands.]

Listen-- I owe you, I'm not gonna let you collapse or lose yourself or something, just because you can't sit still for one day.

[he blinks, then tilts his head.] Owe me? Owe me what? I...I already said we're even, like five minutes ago. [when he decked him!! it was a good punch. if he says he forget that punch he's gonna punch him...]

[He frowns, though he looks more awkward than annoyed. He's not particularly good at expressing this sort of thing.]

You've been kind to me. Helped me.

[Not a lot of people extend that hand to him.]

[Manabu stares at him, genuinely perplexed.]

Okay, but...I'm not doing that to like get one-up on you, or demand it in return. [it's just what he do!

quickly, holding up both hands, getting redder:] N-not to say I don't appreciate the help! It's a lot nicer than you being a bastard, just! [do not hit him.] Just don't look at it like some kinda transaction, okay? It's fine!

I wasn't.

[Don't make this even weirder than it already is, jerk. His voice drops a bit, half embarrassed and half sad.]

I don't have a lot of people that-- I don't want to see the few that I do get hurt.

I, I-I get it, I get it! [he waves his hands a bit, embarrassed for him and guilty for himself. he clears his throat, ducking his head briefly.] As much as I can, I get it, okay?

[as much as he can. damn, it's not like he needs to really know a person to be willing to take a bullet for them, but Manabu's only known James for a handful of hours and already he's worried more about his wellbeing than most anyone else's so far!]

Sorry. I'm not going out of my way to be a hassle [press x to doubt], I'm just...trying to do the right thing.

[while also trying to outrun the feelings of futility that want to grab at his ankles and drag him down. as one does.]

Can't do the right thing if you're wandering around some back street because you don't know where you are.

[It's a strange mix of gentle and brusque, and it's fairly evident that he's not going to back down on this. The last time they had seen each other had not ended well, and Bucky knows that he has a lot to atone for even here, the least he can do to add some balance is try to help if he can.]

C'mon, I don't want to have to drag you home.

...

[he's not wrong. it's just...not ideal. Manabu huffs through his nose, bobbing his head in a reluctant nod.]

Right. Yeah, just--gimme a second. [he rifles through his pockets, looking for his map.] Gotta get my bearings, so I know which way to go.

I know where you live, idiot.

[At least Manabu isn't fighting him on this any more.]

I've been there, remember?

[a shade defensive:] I-I remember that! Jeez... [fine, forget the map. he'll gesture ahead of them.] Let's go, then. Before anything else can fall, or...

[He sets out in the right direction without hesitation, though he does keep glancing up at the sky to make sure nothing is going to rain down on them, and sideways at Manabu as if he's making sure the other man isn't about to collapse on him.]

I'm sorry.

[It's abrupt, apropos of nothing.]

For what happened the last time we saw each other. And for lying about saying I'd come around.

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