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[He's never laid it out like this for anyone before.

The people back home had already known the story, they'd lived parts of it and found out the rest from the files Black Widow had dumped on the internet. This feel very strange in a lot of ways, raw, like he's just given Manabu a list of places to target if he wants to cause maximum damage.

There's a tension as he waits for a response, and when it comes-- the surprise of what it is actually cracks that muted expression into the tiniest huff of unamused laughter.]

No kidding.

[Mess doesn't even begin to cover it.]

You did what you did to protect yourself. [he nods slightly.] The man with the tapes, I mean. Right or wrong isn't really the point there, it's just... [he trails off, his expression getting cloudy as he thinks on it, hearing echoes from his own past.

you think your utopian ideals can keep you from having to kill anyone?! just quit right now and save us all the time!

he blinks, and then he's back, looking back at James in the present.]

So when you get that look on you like in the mirror...hands off, right? Or is there something better I should be doing?

[Absolution comes, and with it comes surprise.

He knows that Manabu is a soldier, must have seen his share of death in the line of duty, but he's also an idealistic moron who obviously cares about every life. Hearing him dismiss Martin's death as self defence and then just move right along, it's certainly another facet to the other man that Bucky will remember from now on.]

I don't know.

[He doesn't have a whole lot of experience with having help during these particular type of issues.]

But yeah, maybe don't come near me if it happens again. I can't guarantee that I wouldn't hurt you. [Or worse.] If I ever came at you, you should shoot me.

[it's not Manabu's place to lecture, let alone absolve, James of anything he's done. he can only speak to what he knows, small though it is. he wishes there was more, but...empty platitudes aren't really his thing, surprisingly enough.

because the platitudes he does spout are ones he wholesale believes in.

as for the advice, Manabu fixes him with a thoughtful look. part of him wants to jab back with a you actually think that would work?, but that's just an invitation for James to clap back with how he intends to part ways for good.

instead:] Alright. [he can accept those terms; whether it pans out that way or not is an entirely different thing.

...of course:] But I'm probably aiming at whatever eyeballs are growing out of the floors or walls first.

[A little more of the tension leaks out of him when Manabu agrees. He understands that the idiot would probably go for a non-lethal shot, but even a severe knee wound would slow down the Soldier and probably allow him the time he needed to get away.]

Sounds fair.

[He leans back in the chair, suddenly exhausted. He hasn't even said that much, but speaking about this to anyone was difficult.]

Listen, if you want to find me, I-- I'm staying with Steve at the moment.

Eh?

[Manabu's eyebrows raise. with a tilt of his head:] The...man you were being forced to kill? [s q u i n t] The man you said was going to kill you? OR me, if I crossed paths and mentioned you?

I never said that.

[He frowns, as if Manabu has personally insulted him by suggesting that Steve might have hurt either of them.]

You basically did! [he unfolds his arms and makes a gesture.] You said he'd mow me over!

I said he'd never leave you alone, and that he'd tear the town apart to find me.

[He's not relenting on the glower.]

None of that means he'd hurt you. He's just-- a persistent punk, he'd bug you for information on me.

[he scowls back for a beat, like a petulant little brother (lifetime of practice).

then, hands up:] Okay, okay, fine! That's off the table, and that's a good thing! I'll be glad for that.

Where's this guy at, anyway?

123 David Cliff Apartments.

[He probably shouldn't be giving out Steve's address without clearing it with him first, but he does anyway.]

I don't know how long I'm gonna stay with him, but I'm there now.

[Manabu pushes off the counter, walking over to another where a notebook lay. he flips a page and pencils it down at the bottom of a mostly-used page.]

Okay.

I guess if anything real bad comes up, I can go there. [he sets the pencil down, looking over.] But I won't bother anyone if I can avoid it.

I didn't give you the damn address so that you could avoid bothering me.

[Idiot. Just as much of an idiot as Steve.]

...Twenty minutes ago, you were telling me you weren't going to interact with me again.

[what is the truth.gif]

See how well that worked out.

[It's dry and flat. Obviously he's already failed at the not interacting part of things.]

[he squints, making a soft, drawn-out sound of suspicion.

after a beat:] ...So then, if I do go there, you're not going to open the door and yell at me to scram? Just to balance things out?

[his mouth is curving on one side, almost a smirk.]

No.

[He might be tempted, but no.]

I wasn't gonna see you again because of what I did, that-- it's kind of moot now.

[Since they've discussed it, Manabu has taken his revenge, and now the man knows more than he did before. The fact that Manabu has agreed to shoot him if it happens again is a big part of why he's comfortable enough to resume their-- whatever the hell this is.]

[Manabu lets out a soft laugh.]

Yeah, yeah it is! Glad we're on the same page, James. It's...probably easier to get through all this weird stuff without worrying about avoiding folks in the process. [he nods, plainly more certain than "probably."]

And if this Steve guy isn't actually gonna throw down, [LIKE YOU SAID. BUCKY.] I'll be glad to meet him, too.

[He never said that! His scowl when Manabu brings it up again says that he's considering throwing down, if Manabu doesn't stop acting like that's what he said.]

I don't think that's a good idea.

[If this were anyone else, that tone of voice might be called petulant.]

Eh? [squint. frown. is he just being contrarian for the sake of it, or...?]

Why not? [and which part? the not-avoiding people or the meeting-Steve part.]

Neither of you need that sort of influence.

[Meaning, he's pretty sure they'll make each other worse with their stupid idealistic need to help out even when it's dangerous for themselves.]

[head tilt, blink. he's not sure what that could refer to. this guy...really is a mess, huh?

but he won't prod any further. instead, Manabu sighs, his shoulders drooping with the exhale.]

...Right. What the hell am I supposed to do now...?

You're supposed to get some rest.

[He manages to look both concerned and forbidding at the same time, arms folded.]

At least until you know whatever that was-- that confusion-- has definitely passed.

I feel fine, you know! [he scowls briefly.] Whatever that...that situation was, it's not like it's lingering on me or anything.

[a beat, looking down and to the side as the hamster wheel in his brain spins on.]

...A chemical agent, maybe? A nerve gas? It's not impossible...

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