advanced | Inbox

[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.

[that gets a weak, grim laugh. Manabu's gaze is askance, watching townsfolk on their way, only briefly glancing upward or elsewhere depending on the noises around them.]

You know, you could've lied and said...you were busy or something. Not that you weren't going to show up at all. Heh.

I wasn't planning to see you again, so I didn't think I'd need a lie like that.

[But he couldn't exactly just leave Manabu confused in the street, so here he is, already backing down on his resolution to keep away.]

I see...

[ha. jeez. it was that bad, huh? Manabu exhales, trying to breathe out some unpleasantness creeping under his skin.]

So that's it for the investigations? What're you going to wind up doing instead?

[Wait...]

You really thought we were gonna keep investigating things together? After what I did?

[He freaked the hell out and punched Manabu, he might very well have done some real damage if the other man hadn't stepped out of the way when he did. This is not the actions of a man anyone would want guarding their back.]

Eh? What do you mean? You saved my life! If you hadn't been there, I'd be... [he need not spell that out -- they were both there.

but...that's not what he means. Manabu knows. he exhales heavily, stuffing his hands in his pockets while they walk.]

The rest is...tricky. And partly my fault, just for not knowing. Not that I would, but things aren't fair here, so I'm not going to act like I would've known better.

I didn't realize how bad off you were.

[He bristles a little when Manabu refers to him as bad off, like he's somehow pitiable. And the other man gets one hell of a glare levelled at him after he's done.]

It wasn't your fault.

[Not even partly.]

You were trying to help me, and I hit you. You're lucky I didn't have a weapon in my hand, because I would've used it. That ain't your fault. At all.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject