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

[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."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I don't think anyone's going to get vindictive," Steve says.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Do me a favor? Let's not take the chance."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I'll talk to Orpheus," Steve says, and then catches Bucky's arm. "Hey. Take a breath, okay?

"Do you want me to keep an eye on the room while you clean up?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Guess I'm still a little wound up," he admits, and slows to walk at Steve's side.

"How long did that thing have me?"

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Too long, Steve thinks. "A couple days."

[nerves_of_ice]

A slight shudder runs through him.

"Great."

They reach the top of the stairs, and turn to head down the hall toward Bucky's room.

"Any idea how I ended up in a chocolate bar?"

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"None," Steve admits. "Some other people went missing but I don't think the same thing happened to any of them."

[nerves_of_ice]

"At least there's that."

He digs into his pocket as they approach the door, then lets out a tired curse under his breath and gives Steve a wry look.

"Please tell me you have your key."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve nods and unlocks the door to let them in.

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky tenses as he steps through the door, then relaxes almost immediately as his glance goes to the bedpost.

"It's still here."

His quick smile is relieved.

"Means I don't have to figure out how to explain to the boys back in development that I lost one of their toys."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"That would have made things complicated," Steve agrees.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Tell me about it."

He glances around the room, then looks back to Steve.

"Mind if I take you up on that offer to keep an eye out while I get cleaned up?"

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Of course I don't mind." Steve takes off his shield and pulls out the desk chair.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Thanks."

He goes to the dresser and pulls out a change of clothes, then extracts a folder from inside the shirt and offers it to Steve.

"You can study that if you get bored."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Thanks," says Steve, surprised, and takes the folder. "More intel from Doyle?"