tushanshu_logs | open; out and about.

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Entry tags:

open; out and about.

Characters: Bucky Barnes and open
Location: Around - outside the city included. State if you have preference!
Situation: Bucky is out and about, now that he's got a lot less excuse to be reclusive...
Warnings/Rating: None for now.
A/N: Prose and actionspam both welcome.

Bucky was... well. One word he couldn't quite process in conjunction with 'dead' was 'happy,' but for all intents and purposes... all right. Maybe not happy, but the brooding, the feeling of doom and despair that he'd had to struggle against during the first weeks after he showed up had greatly receded. He was brighter, lighter, and found himself with a lot more time - a lot more genuine willingness, he guessed - to be out and about.

Of course, he wasn't crowding his friends. They hung out, as they tended to, but this place... (and Peggy) required that they do some work, and some exploring, on his own.

Bucky kept up with the lessons with Rikki, and the occasional patrol with her; also kept his own schedule and routes across the rooftops. And, sometimes, just walking the streets, trying to blend as much as a non-shapeshifter could. Sometimes, being quiet and unobtrusive (or charming) worked well enough, to get information.

And he even ventured outside the city (the last couple of years had cured a lot of his reluctance to visit the countryside), to explore the whole of the surface that was available to him. He hadn't quite managed to save enough to buy a vehicle, but he did rent a sturdy bike. He thought it suited him.

Anytime, anywhere, he stopped to talk with people, or to help them, or to just ask questions or lend a hand.

He was - not completely gone. Steve was here - even more, Steve seemed... happy. That was plenty good enough for Bucky.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Oh yeah? Maybe we should compare notes, in that case." Laughter, still bubbling up in his voice. It's been a long while since anyone - other than Steve - made him this light and cheerful. "I think I might prove your mom wrong... short of the death trap business, that is."

This is definitely turning out a much more pleasant ride than he thought it could be. At all.

"Pardon my ignorance, but what's compsci?"

"I'm not giving away my trade secrets so easily," As if she has made a profession of corrupting boys, "You'll have to work for it."

What exactly that involves, she'll leave up to him.

"Computer science, I wouldn't recommend it."

"Oh yeah? I might need tips, but I'm sure planning on being enthusiastic. And creative, even."

They'll work something out.

"Right. And computers are sort of like the consoles here, right?" Hint: this guy? NOT familiar with this kind of technology.

"Enthusiasm and creativity will get you surprisingly far," This escalated quickly, "I'll be sure to give pointers where necessary."

She's glad she's had a chance to practice her flirting on Brandon and Tommy.

"A bit more advanced, but they're similar enough," Oh god please don't make her botch her way through more explanations of technology, "You don't have 'em where you're from?"

"Then I'm looking forward to earning the privilege!"

Only partway joking. Besides, it is so much more interesting, when there is a dare.

"Less where and more when - I gather they show up... later. My story kind of finishes in early 1945."

"I promise you won't regret it," She's decided she's going to keep him.

He's the third person to come from that time, and while Steph knows that Peggy and Steve are friends, she wonders if Bucky fits in there somewhere, too (she'll ask Steve later). It doesn't escape her that he says his story finishes but she also doesn't think it's really appropriate for her to comment on, especially when he's not lingering on the fact.

So she decides to go for a cheeky comment instead, "I feel that I should warn you, then, that you've probably never met a girl like me. Things have changed a little over the last six decades."

"I'm so glad you're confirming my suspicions, on that."

Bucky was actually here first. He just... isn't overly fond of making a fool of himself, like doing something bad over the console. And he sure knows them both, Steve better than Peggy.

And he's all right with talking about it. Makes a difference with how he thinks about things, here on the turtleback.

"Yeah?" He'd point out that he got over some of the shock, just from watching people from the future since he arrived - over a month ago - but where is the fun in that? Besides, most of that got played down in interactions with his alternate-universe-granddaughter, which... well. Not something that has a place in this conversation. "What should I look forward to, then? I must admit I rather like surprises."

Steph is a little disappointed that he isn't able to see her grin right now, but she contents herself with resting her cheek on his shoulder (it's more comfortable this way, obviously) and assuming that he'll be able to hear the smirk in her voice.

"Well, for starters, I think you'd be a big fan of the bikini..." Fortunately, they've got a long ride ahead of them; there's a lot she can tell him about while he drives them along the surface of the shell. When she runs out of history, she goes straight back to flirting.

While Bucky, on the other hand, is okay with her not seeing his flush on a couple of the things she tells him, along the way. Although the directness with which she discusses the subjects? It startles him, but he can certainly learn to enjoy it.

On the other hand, by the time they reach the turtle's shell, he actually needs a little bit of time, ah, sitting still after she dismounts. To calm himself down, because.

"Good thing I brought extra fuel. I keep forgetting how far the d--arned thing is."

Still bad habits? Still bad habits. Like censuring himself before dames.

Steph all but flips off the back of the bike, and if she notices Bucky's decision to stay a little longer, she's not going to comment on it. She isn't great at sitting still, even if they've taken breaks along the way, and she's currently running through a basic acro routine to help stretch her muscles out. And to show off a little, because she can.

Not that it'll stop her talking, even when she's halfway through a backwards walkover, "It's a hell of a trip."

And then she sort of catches on what that pause was for, and laughs, "Did you just stop yourself from cursing for my sake?"

How sweet.

Yeah, it takes him a couple of minutes until he's sure it's not entirely embarrassing to stand up. Then he joins her in stretching, rolling his shoulders and making a few squats to get the circulation going again properly. And away from... ahem.

"Better than being cramped into a track for this kind of distance, though. Or," small grin, "in the back of a cart pulled by animals."

He's cracking his neck when the question comes. "Yeah. Been told it's... polite."

"God, they really need to work out a better system for that, I was ready to straight up murder someone," Slight exaggeration there, but that jounrey from the ocean really awful, "I've much preferred this trip."

Bucky is a lot cuter than the kedan.

And that comment gets a laugh as she straightens up, "I've explained modern sex toys to you, I think you're allowed to cuss around me."

Steph that's probably not helping.

"That might be a business to start. Contract the kedan, hire a local guide, get a proper comfortable car, and hang around the coast for new arrival a couple of days a week."

... just listen to him. Dreaming about doing normal things like starting a business like that was ever an option. But he can at least dream, right?

"Sure I'm allowed. Don't mean I should, though, does it?" After a moment, he smirks. "Besides, I strongly suspect you only explained some of them. I'll be willing to listen about more, when you think of them.

"Race you to the water!"

After all, is there a better way to work out the stiffness from the ride than running?

Steph is impressed by that idea and it shows on her face, "That'd be great. Might take a little work, but it'd make things easier on a lot of people. Dunno how the kedan would feel about it though."

"I'll draw you some diagrams one day," Her grin echoes his, and as the word race comes out of his mouth, Steph is off like a shot. She's already dropped her backpack on the ground, and her boots skid slightly on the shell as she runs, not bothering to slow herself down even if she probably should.

The question is whether Bucky can keep up.

He doesn't have time to really register properly that she was actually impressed, answering automatically, "only one way to find out, right?"

And then she's off, and, yes, Bucky can keep up - he's last been training in winter conditions with Steve Rogers, he's been pushing himself more than he would if training with any unenhanced human. With soldier gear.
And then parkouring with Rikki. Who 'cheats' by using vibranium boots.

On the other hand, he's not really that interested in winning at any cost. Her pace is good enough and he races by her side, but not ahead. All for a nice, friendly, challenging run.

... damn. He could shed his shirt on the go, but he can't dive straight from the run, all the stuff in his pockets would just go.

Steph is totally interested in winning at any cost; she has a competitive streak a mile long, and she can't really turn down a challenge. As soon as she realizes he can keep up, she increase her own pace, pushing herself just a little bit harder.

Still, she's laughing as she runs.

It means that she's going full tilt by the time they hit the surf, and she ends up sliding about knee deep into the water before she comes to a halt, only not going further thanks to the grippy soles of her boots.

"Oops."

Bucky just laughs at that. It comes no more broken by gasps than her breathing, and it's a good sound.

"That slippery, or a momentum problem?" He squints up at the light. "Don't know if there'd be a better time for an actual dip than now, though - on this trip, at least."

Because it is going to cool down as the afternoon wanes, and colds are never fun.

It takes her a moment to regain her breath, but even so, the amusement is clear in her voice, "I think it was a combination of the two."

Note to self: turtle shells are slippery.

His comment earns a raised eyebrow, "I didn't bring a swimming costume with me, Sergeant Barnes."

That's not a no. She even walks out of the water to find a dry spot to sit down and take off her boots. But she keeps her expression hidden for a moment, in case the worry crosses her face. She'd have no problem stripping down to her underwear to swim, but her scars complicate matters.

"Well, that makes sense, considering how far the shore is from the city. Hardly accessible on foot."

Not like she can know that the exact looks of a body were less... repugnant, for somebody who grew up with Steve Rogers.

Beat. And then he adds, thoughtfully, "I could sacrifice my shirt for your modesty. It'd dry out soon enough."

There is only a slight lilt of irony to the modesty part. Considering some of their topics - the ones she picked - on the way here.

It'd cover her torso, but he's not quite tall enough that his shirt would cover enough of her legs. She's so sick of having to consider all this shit, when all she wants to do is go for a swim with a cute boy.

That thought in mind, Steph huffs out a breath, ruffling her bangs, and then holds up a finger to make a turn around gesture at Bucky.

"Give a girl some privacy?"

If she gets in the water before him, she can just stay submerged enough to hide her scars.

His turn to quirk an eyebrow at her, but he shrugs.

"Yes, ma'am."

And he sets back towards the bike in an easy lope. He can bring her backpack, just because, even as huge as the shell is? It's better to have stuff in sight. If nothing else, in case she needed something from it. Soldier, gear, habits.

Not that the privacy is that difficult to ensure. But might as well be useful while he's at it.

When he's about to get back in sight, he calls out, "all clear now?"

Once he's a little distance away, Steph strips down to her underwear and bra, folding her clothes in a neat pile to leave with her boots. She could strip completely, but she's swimming in familiar water in an unfamiliar place with an unfamiliar boy.

By the time he's back, Steph has already dived into the water and swum out a few good feet. The shell inclines slowly, there's no sudden drop (at least not yet) but she's deep enough that her feet just touch the shell. It feels more like a swimming pool than the ocean, except for the smell of salt.

"We're good!" She lets herself float back a little, giving him a wave when he's visible again.

"Perfect."

He sets her backpack by the pile of her clothes, then unlaces his boots and strips down to underwear easily.

Sure, he has scars, too. A single one from his early days with the 107th, and a few burns from Dr. Zola's work on him that Steve interrupted. He doesn't even think much of them, anymore.

Instead, he wades into the water with a lot of splashing.

Steph ducks her head under the water while he's getting undressed just because it seems a little much to watch him, pushing her hair back from her face when she resurfaces. She does get to take a decent look at him when he's walking into the water. He's an army boy and she's only human, so sue her.

The scars are noted and filed, but she doesn't see much point on commenting.

"I think it's been like two years since I've been in the ocean. I need to make an effort to do it more."

Gotham's in a bay, sure, but only crazy people would go in the water near there. The last time she went swimming was on a beach in Africa, with some kids who she'd met at one of the clinics Leslie and her had been working at. It'd been the first time she'd actually had fun since the gang war. It's a nice memory.

Edited 2012-09-20 09:48 (UTC)

"Anytime you need a ride, Steph. Just give me a call and all."

He finishes the splashing by a dive. His swimming is not very good, but he's relatively decent, coming up for air after some distance and long strokes, taking him far.

When he resurfaces, he's laughing, wiping water from his eyes.

"Been less for me, but then, haven't been back States-side for almost two years, really."

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timeskip? timeskip!

TIMESKIP!

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