nysalogs | (no subject)

[ ooc: continued from here ]

[ It leads to a small attic, in a high place, abandoned, with a clear view of all approaching sides. It's nearer to evening, so the shadows offer them more cover. Unlike his usual habit of arriving after the other party, Bruce is there first, tucked just beside the window. He's visible, a concession he makes for Bucky. ]

[ He doesn't want to stick around too long. The point is to let Ana see Tim, and she'll decide whether to approach him on her own terms. She doesn't need Bruce's approval or encouragement — nor he hers — but they recognise it's better when present. ]

[ He does warn her, watch him too long and the boy will pick up. Bruce trained him — some other man, in another life — but he recognises his own methodology, and there were predecessors. He knows what to expect. ]

[ But he does invite her back for tea, water already prepared beforehand. Handing her a cup, ]

What do you think?

[Given how uncomfortable Bucky expects this conversation to be, he appreciates the concession. It does a little to ease his nerves, even if it's Bruce. He hasn't even talked with Steve about Tony yet, but here he is. He finds Bruce is usually easier, somehow. He waves faintly, a slight nod of his head in acknowledgement as he arrives. He's dressed as casual as usual, layers so he blends in, and the gloves Bruce gave him to disguise his metal hand.]

I thought it might be easier this way.

[For him, anyway.]

[ There's little they can do to make each other feel truly safe. They're not those people. But what Bruce has made an effort towards is making the circling comfortable and familiar, with no bared jaws, no hollow-eyed, hungry stares. ]

[ He nods briskly, skirts away from the window. ]

Where did you want to start?

[ Some things have to be drawn out, like poison from a wound. Bruce'd manage to be incisive without cruelty, if it was necessary. But he studies Bucky in the poor light, judging what he requires. ]

[Bucky isn't really bothering to hide the fact that there are uncomfortable subjects here. He's accepted that these are things potentially worth sharing, and there's enough space, enough choice for him to be able to breathe around those decisions (they do not strangle him).

At the question, he considers. Tries to decide how best to unravel all of it.]

Did Stark tell you he used to be part of the Avengers with Steve?

[It's safe, but also connects to the idea of where his personal ties come in.]

Not in the past tense.

[ He raises his eyebrows. Stark was a talker, but it was like an open window into a blizzard. People thought they could see it when they saw nothing at all. Bruce uses the same tactic to mask himself. ]

[Lucy did not come looking for Bruce, but she finds herself doing that anyway. He is someone special to her, because after her brother disappeared, he was truly one of the people who consoled her, who reminded her how much of her brothers cared for her, and knew, because he knew Edmund.

And who treated her like she was a fully capable warrior, no less.

So today she's not coming to find him but that's where her feet take her anyway. She's sitting nearby, where she knows he'll pass, and her heart is heavy.]

[ Having found out Bruce's birthday from the Institute, he and Diana had conspired together to give Bruce a birthday surprise. After all, he was always surprising them with gifts. From the moment Steve had met Bruce, he seemed to appreciate his cooking, so he suggested to Diana cooking Bruce dinner, with her help. He made spaghetti and meatballs, which Diana found amusing because it reminded her of some movie about cartoon dogs in love.

They'd let themselves into Bruce's home while he was out because he'd done it enough times at their place, now it was their turn. Steve had studied (read: stalked) Bruce's schedule to know when he'd roughly be home, with the food almost ready whenever he decided to grace them with his presence.

(If Bruce decided today all days, he was going to be unpredictably late, then Steve was going to kill him. But Steve also knew he probably had a sneaking suspicion something was going on and would stroll through the door on time.)

The mood of the room was a lot more... romantic than Steve had planned it out to be. Dim lighting and candles lit. Steve wondered what Bruce's reaction would be. ]

They split. [They, not we, if there had been any question about where Bucky stood on the whole superteam subject.]

They world wanted to make their team answer to the UN, only fight when and where politicians agreed that they should. Steve and Tony disagreed. Then someone framed me for bombing the UN, and they disagreed on that, too. Split them in half, more or less.

[ He didn't take Bucky for the type. No one would take Bruce for the type either, but then Clark — ]

[ He's making an effort. The world believed in heroes, in hope. ]

And you're not his favourite person.

( she does find it at least a little humorous that Steve wants to make Bruce the quintessential Lady and the Tramp date dinner. Diana wonders, mildly, which would be the lady and which the tramp in this particular situation. she had offered to make something, and while her cooking repertoire had improved from braised meats and a selection of greens of an Amazon Princess, apparently her tastes weren't quite down home American enough for a birthday dinner.

so she is more of a sous chef than the orchestrator, content chopping things when Steve requests her to, and she is the responsible party for a lovely salad that both the boys will probably barely touch.

the mood is a bit romantic, though Steve is unfortunately not with someone that won't tease him about it. ) Did you want me to leave? Third wheels are never a charm. ( Steve had mentioned the dinner accommodations Bruce had sent him, so at this point a lot of romantic dinners were being exchanged. )

[ It's a courtesy. Ana takes it as such, and minds Alan's cautionary words.

She isn't noticed, she sees enough.

She takes the tea from him with a small smile to express her gratitude. ]

Definitely one of yours. He seems so young - he must have been training for a long time.

They're all young.

[ Lost, abandoned, isolated — orphans, all of them. ]

But it suits him.

It does. [ It's strange for her to admit. She's had a hard time - being objective. Seeing what her daughter needed, and not what Ana wanted for her. She sees it more, now. ]

Have you made contact with him?

[ He'd expected that Dick and Jason would grow out of it. Dick is Nightwing, Jason didn't get the chance. And now Tim says he's not using the Robin codename anymore, that he's something else now. ]

Yes. He checks in with me regularly.

[ Bruce hadn't let him be, it's not in his nature. They might still be trying to find out how exactly they fit — but they fit. ]

I'd prefer keep an eye on him.

[ He won't admit how long it took to get used to, nor will he talk about how it's sometimes a nice surprise to feel the spirit's presence around in the apartment. It's still a place of little character: Bruce is Spartan in his furnishings. He has acquired some extra tea mugs and a coffee machine, and that's the extent of the personalisation. There's no booby traps: nothing in here is worth taking. ]

[ Taking a night off still feels strange — he gets around it by doing some parkour, followed by a shower, then some reading in bed in the early hours of the morning. It's quite the last time he expects to see Justice, but as always, it never seems to perturb him. ]

Making yourself comfortable?

[ They can smell conflict coming. It's not here yet, but it's close. Like circling vultures, everything seems to wait. He's been helping Reinhardt with his honourable mission, but he's one man. Without the support of an authority, without shelter and patronage, in the long run it can't do very much. He'd come here intending to convince someone to help him, and ended up being convinced. ]

[ Standing at the Temple gates, ]

I'd like the purple.

[ If it malfunctions — well, he's a quiet man, it would only augment his natural talents, not undermine him. The other reeks too much of unknown magic. ]

[ She's nearby — a heavy heart draws him like a moth to flame. The station is a cold place — he likes it, but its corridors afford neither shadow nor much comfort. ]

[ Lucy might feel someone there before she hears footsteps — Bruce is quiet, all things told. His concern is deep on his face. ]

May I sit down?

[ They're lucky Bruce doesn't believe in booby traps. The apartment doesn't look all that personalised. Only Bruce's clothes, some extra mugs, tea, and coffee. It's kept clean — Alfred would question if this was truly Bruce at all if he wasn't leaving his socks everywhere — but it's because it's so empty. Steve and Diana are the most lively it's ever been. ]

[ Which means, of course, he Knows. There are friendly people who keep watch on his quarters to report anyone coming and going — one of them calls him over to offer a gift for the lovely lady she saw entering. Diana is known to the people on this street, they have nothing but affection for her. ]

[ Bruce strolls through the door exactly on time, smug as anything. ]

No, not without dessert. [ He holds up the bag he has with him, recently purchased. His expression softens briefly before turning critical, taking in the entire mood. ] Princess. [ a beat. ] Captain.

If I didn't know better, I'd say I was being ambushed.

Ah-

Alan.

[She moves over a little, and lets him sit next to her. Exactly who she was looking for, and yet.]

You do not have any place to be?

Edited 2018-02-26 12:12 (UTC)

[ Diana had asked Steve why they weren't making dessert as well - Steve had told her it would be covered. Somehow he knew Bruce would suspect what was going on and bring dessert with him. ]

Bruce. [ Resting his hands against the top a chair at the dinner table, Steve smiles at him from across the room. ] I think you actually have to be surprised to be ambushed. [ The only thing Bruce seems surprised by is the atmosphere of the room.

He put Diana in charge of setting the table earlier... and suddenly Steve notices there's one placemat, set of cutlery and wine glass missing. He shakes his head at her with a fond smile. ] Diana. Three settings, remember? [ He sees what she's trying to do here and he's having one of it. ]

I'm sure that he appreciates that. [ All children do, in their own way. Tim probably wants to look out for Bruce in turn. He's a good father, but she doesn't say that aloud. ]

How many children do you have now? [ Gentle, teasing. ]

[ He did wonder, how much he resembles the man who took Tim in. Close, if they're deciding on the same path. ]

Isn't the right answer "not enough"?

[ He's a little wry, but he can hear Diana's words in Ana's voice, too. Only one? Where is the rest of your brood? ]

[ Ana smiles at that, but it doesn't last. ] Considering the way things are going around here, they're going to need you.

[ She knows what's weighing on him. Somehow, that makes it easier — without needing to articulate the mess of conflicting thoughts that have been surfacing. ]

[ Only two things have ever made him falter in his steps, death and failure. When the two are twined — ]

So, should I introduce you or will you find him?

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BUCKY.

ANA.

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let me know if this is okay

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JUSTICE.

CLARKE | safe haven.

perfect! ty for posting I would have only managed to write anything up today orz

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