The Binding of Isaac

[gamemakers]

Who| All those who signed up for the plot!
What| Capitol rebels attempt a break in and dismantling of dangerous weaponry.
Where| In a warehouse just beyond the very end of the cityline
When| Some time following Arena 13
WARNINGS| Please specify warnings in tag headers.
NOTES | Remember that if you did not sign up, it will be assumed you are not participating in the plot. Plotting can be found here! IC plotting is here!

Comments

[tookthewheel]

His fingers twitched, metal and flesh, both connected to the same bunch of nerves giving out commands. With gloves on no one could tell the difference with how they'd perfected the response time of the prosthetic.

Sam's speaking truths that Bucky can't ignore. He wants to put this urge to go and tear the bastards apart on the Asset and everything they made him into; it'd be so much easier than being Bucky Barnes right now. The Asset knew pain and fear and anger at its most base human level, lashing out like an animal when cornered but Sam is right, the part of him that wants revenge is one hundred percent real person.

Maybe he's just trying to cover it up with that Winter Soldier persona that no longer fits him anymore. It used to be so easy to slip back and now when he tries, when he tries, it's like an ill-fitting skin, outgrown without electric fire to cut him down to size.

Finally Bucky turns his head from the wall and looks at Sam. He looks haunted, afraid and cut by the last words. He can't seem to find any words of his own.

[sizeofyourbaggage]

Honestly, Sam’s not sure he’s equipped to handle this right now. His mind’s ripped up enough trying to balance grief and guilt with worry and fear, a much bigger mess than when it’s around death, because Steve and Kurloz are still out there and who knows what could be happening to them.

Throwing Bucky into all of that, adding the way it makes Sam’s chest ache with a quieter form of grief when he watches what his friend must be going through, it’s maybe a little too much. But he’s not going anywhere, not even when that haunted look cuts right through him.

“I need you,” he clarifies, very quietly, just in case Bucky hadn’t assumed that from his vaguer statement. “Stay here, Bucky, you gotta stay-” He cuts off just before saying something stupid like with me and finishes with, “Strong. I know it ain’t easy, but you and me, we’re strong enough to handle this. We have to be.”

They’d already talked about supporting each other when shit goes bad, and this is pretty much as bad as it could get. It’s not what Sam expected, back when he brought it up, and it’s not what Sam wants - he wants Steve to be safe - but it’s what they’ve got.

[tookthewheel]

He wants -- he needs... Bucky doesn't know, he doesn't -- doesn't know. Sam needs him, tells him to stay. Steve told him to stay. They both want him to stay put when everything in him is screaming to save his friend.

Bucky feels worn, beaten. In the end he'll obey, like he's always obeyed. He's always followed Steve's lead, then the Asset always obeyed. No, it's not just -- Sam needs him. He needs him.

That's what does it, finally.

There's still no words. Bucky feels like his throat is locked up tight, the sound inside him ready to shatter if he dares let it out, so he doesn't. He keeps it inside, his shoulders sinking as the fight runs out of him and his head bows in a nod, acknowledging surrender to reason.

[sizeofyourbaggage]

When Bucky nods, the fight drains out of Sam, too. Everything in him’s been focused on getting Bucky not to go, and now that he’s agreed to stay - Sam’s not sure what to do.

He looks away briefly, because he can feel tears pricking at his eyes. It’s stupid, that this is what gets to him, that after everything, it’s Bucky staying here that pushes him over the edge. If it was someone else, maybe even at another time, Sam’d say that it was normal to have a reaction like that when dealing with shit, that one thing going even sort of okay can be what sets you off, but right now, Sam doesn’t want to unpack any of this. He angrily pushes the heel of his palm into his eye until he can feel the sting go away.

“Don’t worry, I’m not gonna fall apart on you.” He looks back up, thinks about adding some kind of smile to go along with that, but gives up before he tries. “I, uh. Thanks.”

[tookthewheel]

Bucky's eyes widen slightly.

After all that he hadn't expected Sam to -- but of course Sam is just as broken up inside as Bucky is. The whole reason Bucky doesn't trust his voice right now is because he doesn't know if a scream or a sob will come out if he tries to speak. Maybe even something worse.

He steps forward, slowly, his hand (right) reaching for Sam's wrist. The gesture has to be enough, his fingers wound loose around his friends arm. For comfort, for guidance and he's not thinking clear enough to know for which side is which. Maybe both, maybe all.

There's a nod to go along with it, though no returned smile.

[sizeofyourbaggage]

The gesture's more than enough, and Sam feels some of the tightness in his chest loosen when Bucky takes his wrist. It takes a moment for surprise to set in, but it's only a brief flicker. Maybe later he'll look back and realize that this is the first time Bucky's initiated contact like that, that even with - even with everything, Bucky actually reached out, but...

But right now he'll just take it and be real damn grateful for it. He shifts his hand a little, just enough that he can circle his own fingers loosely around Bucky's arm, mirroring the gesture.

"Thanks," he says again, quieter but a lot more steady.

[tookthewheel]

Bucky nods.

The alleyway is quiet, mostly vacated now aside from them. It's the plan that they should be filtering back to the Tribute Tower now, staggering their return so as not to arouse suspicion but lingering too long holds its own risks.

There's really nothing else to do now but return back to the belly of the best.

He tugs, lightly, starting to walk in that direction and hoping Sam will come with him. He doesn't want to make the journey alone.

[sizeofyourbaggage]

Sam’s at Bucky’s side as soon as he feels that tug, keeping pace with him. Bucky doesn’t really ask for a lot, as far as Sam’s concerned, and if Bucky wants Sam with him right now, then that’s where Sam will be.

That, and staying with Bucky is where he needs to be, for himself, too. Sam doesn’t want to face this alone, either.

So he sets his shoulders, takes a few deep breaths as they head back. Nothing’s better, none of it, but - he feels a little more like maybe he can handle this.