OOM: post-Slenderman

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

It's obvious, from the moment they step out of the cave, that the oppressive evil that had held the bar captive is gone. The night is clear, with only a few wisps of clouds to drift over the waning moon; there are nocturnal but benign creatures stirring in the woods; but more than that, it just feels different, lighter and sweeter in every sense. Magical. A good magic, white magic.

Steve keeps an arm around Bucky as they walk, though he suspects Bucky will be better soon. All he has to do is breathe.

Comments

[nerves_of_ice]

He remembers when he was the one to sling his arm around Steve after his friend had taken a beating.

Turns out it's just as much of a comfort the other way around.

Bucky's not sure exactly when the pretty girl with the flashlight peels off, or Ambriel, for that matter, which tells him he's not quite running on all cylinders yet.

He takes a deep breath of the sharp, clear air, relishing the cold.

"How'd you find me, anyway?"

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Jack Green. The other tree god fella. It was like he just followed the scent."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I'll have to thank him later."

He flexes the fingers of his right hand, as if making sure he can move them.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve glances at him, then says, "So, I'm going to take you to the infirmary, okay?"

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky shakes his head.

"What I want more than anything's a shower. Never thought I could hate the smell of chocolate so much."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"After the medic--or whoever they've got--checks you over? Please?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Steve--"

He sighs.

"-- okay. Okay." He manages a small grin. "If it'll make you feel better."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Yes, it will.

"I'll order you if I have to."

[nerves_of_ice]

"You got it, Cap."

He leans a little more into Steve's support, then straightens up a bit.

"Let's go find that medic."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I know where it is," Steve says as they reach the bar. "Remember how when Orpheus and I met I socked him in the face? Some other people did worse things to him, and I visited him to make sure he was okay."

The conversation that followed was also...enlightening.

[nerves_of_ice]

"I hope you don't think I'm sticking around there long enough to have visitors of my own," Bucky warns him.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"How about we let the medic decide that?" says Steve as he pushes open the door.

[nerves_of_ice]

"We'll see."

He walks through the door Steve's holding, and gives a fast look around the bar, as if checking it over.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Perhaps Steve can be forgiven if he hustles Bucky to the infirmary a bit faster than necessary.

[nerves_of_ice]

Perhaps. Bucky's not resisting, anyway.

The harried medic's got a full house, it looks like, and a brisk style and wit that reminds him of the last couple of military docs he's seen. It's familiar enough to be a relief.

By the time the guy's checked him over, finding not much more serious than a whole bunch of bruises and scrapes (plus the mark on his neck where the dart had stabbed him) and cleared him to leave so he can have the room for patients in more need, Bucky's actually relaxed quite a bit.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve waited patiently all the while, and smiles when the doctor is done. "Clean bill of health," he says. "I'm glad."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Me, too. Always nice to have one of those."

He's also glad to get out of the infirmary, judging from the alacrity with which he heads for the door.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve catches up to him quickly. "Heading back to the barracks?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Not yet."

Bucky's scanning the room, as if looking for something.

"Don't suppose you know how to get hold of those little orange bastards, do you?"

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I don't. I'd ask one of the barmen--Mike or Sallie."

Though he doesn't know Mike will probably be out of commission for a while.

[nerves_of_ice]

"You see either of them around?"

He looks over at Steve.

"They've still got my rifle," he explains, flatly. "I'm not letting them keep it. No way in hell."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve looks around too. "No.

"Maybe we could try the Lost and Found box?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"The what now?"

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"The Lost and Found box. I've seen it behind the bar when I've tended. If somebody loses something it usually ends up there.

"But I think, if it's the rifle I'm thinking of, the orange guys don't have it. It's still hanging from your bedpost in your room."

[nerves_of_ice]

He changes direction midstep, and his stride lengthens.

"Yeah, about that."

Bucky sounds as sour as he looks.

"You might want to see if the music man can do some tricks to make sure they can't get in through the walls there."