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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...

It would've got me too.

[They were in pretty close proximity, after all. He's fairly sure any chemical agent in the air would have been much more generalised, not just targeted at Manabu.]

I think it might have something to do with the way the 'locals' are acting.

[...okay, fair. damn. it might be better if it's more isolated, anyway; not good to have more people wrapped up in problems.

but mention of the townsfolk makes Manabu's eyes wince. the glitching and twitching and general...nothingness they seem to be caught up in? he wants no part of that, not a bit.]

I try to stay out of their way...as long as they're not hurting themselves too much. Then I, you know. Move them a bit. But maybe if it's a matter of too much contact with them...?

I don't know.

[He avoids the townsfolk as much as possible, they stir up uncomfortably familiar feelings with their dead-eyed stares and general blank faces.]

Have you heard anyone else mention anything like this on the-- Fluid?

[That was what it was called, right?]

Y'know-- [the pained look grows more weary than anything.] The way people use that thing...it's more like...diary stuff than...useful broadcasts. I mean--some are useful. Like, maybe way more information than anyone could use in a situation, but still good. But a lot of it is...weird...

[he looks askance, troubled.]

I think this place has...a lot of the people stuck here kind of...messed up. Like they're just used to it.

I don't want that to happen to anyone else.

I don't think it's something you can stop.

[It's probably not what Manabu wants to hear, but Bucky doesn't sugar coat what he thinks the truth is. His tone is gentle, though, he knows what it is to want to help.]

People have to find a way to cope, I've seen it before.

They shouldn't...have to, is the thing. [but that's his idealism showing. he unfolds his arms, ruffling his hair with a hand out of exasperation.] But jus saying that doesn't change anything, I know. Still.

This is...way more than anyone should have to handle...or figure out how to fix. But it's not like I can just shrug and let things remain as they are...!

Nobody's asking you to.

[Why does he feel like he's had this conversation about a million times throughout his life? He sighs, though there's no real ire behind it.]

But you gotta learn to look out for yourself too. You can't save everybody, and you won't save anybody if you burn yourself out trying to fix everything at once.

[he makes a soft, reluctant sound at that. he can't argue the logic, even if he doesn't like it. anything more is just petty complaining, isn't it?

jeez. he can easily imagine Bruce ribbing on him for this right now, same as he did when the whole platoon went to the Murase Inn for shore leave.

some shore leave this is, though...

before he can get to lost in that recollection, he blinks back to the present, giving James a fleeting glance and a nod.]

...I won't go anywhere. At least, for the day.

[At least Manabu isn't arguing back, though he has severe doubts as to how long the other man will actually be able to listen to advice like this.]

Good.

[He'll take that as the victory it is, and not push it. For a moment, he looks as if he might just up and leave now that he has what he wants, but...]

I guess I oughta make sure you don't.

[Which is his way of offering to stay and be a distraction. It's the first time he's ever offered his company in a purely social sense since before the Soldier, it feels odd. Wrong. Like he should take it back and leave anyway. He wouldn't blame Manabu for refusing his company, it's not like he's any good at conversation.]

[Manabu blinks. come to think, the fact James didn't just shove him through the door, slam it, and promptly vanish is actually...something, isn't it?]

Uh, mm-- [he hesitates, tilting his head slightly, as if he could get a better read on the guy. if it's a matter of not being trusted to sit still, then it's a matter come from wanting to trust in the first place...right?

something like that.]

Hanging around here isn't going to hold up anything you're up to out there, is it?

[It's his turn to hesitate.

He's not sure if Manabu is asking that because he's genuinely worried about Bucky having something important to do, or if he's trying to give him an out without being rude enough to tell him to leave.]

Nothing that can't wait.

[This is so awkward.]

[ah, the cultural and emotional dissonance between a defrosted shock trooper and a legacy space cop. perhaps it's fortunate that Manabu was never too invested in the deeper fibers of nuance and subtext that much of the culture he grew up in; no amount of silent judgment ever stopped him from following his own path -- he needs that kind of stuff spoken up-front from people he actually respects. likewise, no amount of unspoken unease keeps Manabu's trap shut.

so while James tries to accommodate awkwardness like a man trying to put on a boot while wearing too many layers of socks, Manabu is more just genuinely curious. after all, this guy is more back and forth than Louis is, and perhaps even less likely to explain why to boot.

and so, curiously:] What kind of things? I mean-- did you start coming up with plans or stuff to figure out?

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