exequies: (pic#10165875)
Under"making things worse for everyone"taker ([personal profile] exequies) wrote in [community profile] snowblindrpg2017-02-10 05:16 pm

[Log] An apple a day keeps the doctor away [closed]

Characters: Bucky Barnes, John Watson, Steve Rogers, and Undertaker (walk into a bar...)
Location: Building 131 (the hospital)
Date: Day 208, midday
Summary: Undertaker revives at the hospital after being dead for several days. He's found by both Bucky and John. Also I suck at summaries.
Warnings: Suicidal ideation and mentions of suicide.

131: The roof of a large, square hospital. At first, it seems like this is as far as you can go--but actually, there's a door on the rooftop. It's locked, but there's a card key reader attached. As for what spared it from having its parts stripped? It was frozen over with ice, though not any longer. The building can now be entered from the rooftop.

The hospital is eerie in its silence, and snow presses in against many of the windows, keeping much of it in sterile darkness. It still smells like a hospital; the antiseptic is fresh, and there isn't much dust. Someone must be cleaning it, and yet it's clear no one is here. The hospital is four stories high with one basement, all connected via the elevator lobby and staircase. Unfortunately, the wall of the elevator lobby has been torn open all the way down, exposing it to the bitter air outside. While you can explore and remain on most of the floors of the hospital at night, you cannot travel between them until it's daytime once more, as the lobby seals itself up at curfew.

The first floor has both more and less relaxed areas. There's an operating room down here, too, as well as another sort of laboratory, and a large section of this floor is taken up by labor delivery. The hospital has a generally oppressive atmosphere, but this area is marginally less so. Only marginally, though. The rooms in the delivery wing are larger than the rooms upstairs, with a more private atmosphere, but there are extra beds in here, and even VIP delivery isn't private on first blush. A closer inspection reveals the rooms only really seem fit for one of the beds. Others must have been added later for some reason. The lobby is very large here, with plenty of seating available for waiting. There's a door that works, also, opening to the south into a small, empty parking garage and finally revealing the rest of the ice tunnel area. During the day, at least. It's locked at night like everything else. There are finger-sized slits cut into many of the mattresses. One of the bathrooms on the first floor has signs of a fire having been set, with scorch marks. "ALPHONSE ELRIC, DAY ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY TWO, CONTACT @LELRIC FOR ANY ASSISTANCE" is written on the wall. "ALFIE SOLOMONS, 1922. Camden Town, London, England, UK, Europe, Earth. Day 165, February 24." is carved into the wall. Underneath the RECEPTION sign is the following, scrawled in black crayon:
"NⓍ NIMA
where is it?
73 74 69 6c 6c 20 73 65 61 72 63 68 20 69 6e 67"
advanced: (blank)

For John

[personal profile] advanced 2017-02-13 10:23 am (UTC)(link)
[It's not all that much later when Bucky manages to find Dr. Watson away from the strange man - Undertaker - who revived that morning. It's strange, Dr. Watson looks both different and familiar in a way that itches under Bucky's skin. His posture is one of tension, like a coiled spring ready to go into fight or flight rather than the tentative trust they had established before. His expression and voice, however, are both neutral.]

You look older.

[There's a hint of a question behind it, as if asking if that's true or if it's just a trick being played by his mind.]
jumpthegun: (srs | glance)

[personal profile] jumpthegun 2017-02-13 02:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[John is tense, as well, so at least they match. He's sat himself along the middle of one wall where it gives him a clear line of sight to most of the doorways on this floor of the hospital. The doctor looks up at Bucky.]

I'm five years older than the last time we saw each other. I mentioned I gained a few years while I was dead, right?

advanced: (disguised)

[personal profile] advanced 2017-02-13 04:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oh yes, he does remember that now. He nods, jaw firming.]

Something happened while you were gone?
jumpthegun: (srs | contemplative)

[personal profile] jumpthegun 2017-02-13 04:28 pm (UTC)(link)
A lot of things happened.

[John licks his lips.]

There were more films. With you and the Avengers. And Mr. Pierce.
advanced: (concealed)

[personal profile] advanced 2017-02-13 04:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[His fingers twitch as if towards a weapon, but that's the only outward sign of that causing him any discomfort. He looks much better, actually. Clean from head to toe, shaven, clothes washed, even slightly fatter.]

What happened to you?

[He doesn't want to talk about himself at all.]
jumpthegun: (srs | looking up)

[personal profile] jumpthegun 2017-02-13 05:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[John remembers Pierce's sneering accusations, that he hadn't taken care of Bucky as he should have, as a doctor or friend should have. It hurts to take note of the fact that on some level the man is right.]

I got married, had a daughter... Sherlock came back from the dead.

[Given that Pierce could trigger the Soldier again in the future, John's really not sure what level of detail he wants to hand out to the other man.]
advanced: (intensity)

[personal profile] advanced 2017-02-13 05:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Then why do you look like that?

[Maybe not the most subtle or kind way to ask, but John doesn't look like a happily married man with a daughter and a best friend who's not dead. He has the tired look of a man who's been grieving, who's just sleepwalking through life. Bucky's seen it before on more than one soldier who lost a few too many friends.]
jumpthegun: (angry | bloody knuckles)

[personal profile] jumpthegun 2017-02-13 06:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[Nice to see he's still got the tact, Mary says, raising a brow. John shoots her a warning glance before addressing Bucky.

How many times is he going to have to explain this? Does he just need to put up a post about it? 'Hullo, I'm John Watson, dead wife, estranged from Sherlock. Ta!'

The 'ta' might be a little much.

John's voice is tight.]


She died. My wife. Month or so ago. Haven't really been talking to Sherlock since then. Not until a few days ago.
advanced: (cry)

[personal profile] advanced 2017-02-14 04:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[He doesn't react for a few moments as he processes that.

A part of him is sorry to hear it, the bit that remembers this man is a friend and is starting to gather more memories of their conversations, but mostly he just doesn't know how to express his sympathy. His brow furrows, and eventually he reaches out to lay a hand heavily on the other man's shoulder.

What should he say? I'm sorry? Condolences? I'm here for you? None of it sounds right and he's still far too awkward about emotion to express that much. It's an understated and probably useless thing he ends up saying, a stupid question that he already knows the answer to.]


Can I help?

[Of course the answer is no. What help can be offered for a dead wife and an estranged best friend, especially from a man who Dr. Watson has repeatedly said he doesn't want travelling with him?]
jumpthegun: (sad | take a breath)

[personal profile] jumpthegun 2017-02-14 04:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[The hand on John's shoulder makes his mouth twist, but he pushes down his emotions. Bucky isn't someone he can really afford to be so vulnerable in front of anymore. Not if he wants to protect the other man from what Pierce might do. But he doesn't shrug off Bucky's hand. It's selfish, but the contact and comfort are something he's craving.]

I'm not sure what you could do... other than look after a few other people for me.
advanced: (blank)

[personal profile] advanced 2017-02-14 04:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[Not being pushed off is tantamount to being told to keep going, at least as far as this is concerned, so he leaves his hand on Dr. Watson's shoulder and even squeezes it lightly.]

I can do that.

[Maybe. Possibly.]

My handl-- Pierce doesn't want me again, he made that clear, I'm not going to be a danger to them.
jumpthegun: (angry | bloody knuckles)

[personal profile] jumpthegun 2017-02-14 08:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[John runs a hand through his hair.]

I met up with him, the night after I woke up. Pierce. I wanted... I dunno. I wanted to threaten him, make sure he didn't hurt you again or trigger you. I told him to stay south... ordered him to stay south for a couple of days so you won't run into him.

[At least for a few days.]

Kid. Someone needs to take care of Kid. You don't have to stay with him, but he just needs someone watching out for him until there's someone else. He has trouble taking care of himself.

[Like Bucky. But maybe if they're together, they'll be able to remember to take care of each other.]
advanced: (disguised)

[personal profile] advanced 2017-02-16 10:38 pm (UTC)(link)
That's a child.

[He stiffens, looking over at Dr. Watson as though he might have lost his damn mind.]

I can't take care of a child, not in the way you need me to. I can protect someone from outside threats, guide them through the terrain, I can't make someone eat and sleep.

[He barely remembers to do that himself.]
jumpthegun: (srs | level with me)

[personal profile] jumpthegun 2017-02-17 05:34 am (UTC)(link)
He's a teenager who needs someone to protect and guide him and just remind him when to eat or take meds. He's lost every traveling companion he's ever gone with for any significant time, Bucky. I'm pretty sure he thinks he's the angel of death at this point.

And Stein... he's gonna be a mess when he finds out about Dr. Stein.
advanced: (disguised)

[personal profile] advanced 2017-02-18 05:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Dr. Watson--

[It's the first time he's referred to the man by name really, and it sounds wrong to his ears. Why does it sound wrong?]

--I can't look after a kid in the way he needs it. You have the wrong person.
jumpthegun: (sad | take a breath)

[personal profile] jumpthegun 2017-02-18 05:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[Being referred to by his title is a bit of a slap to the face. John knows it isn't really Bucky's fault, but his expression tightens for a moment.]

I won't press, then, Sergeant Barnes. My apologies. [He should shrug off Bucky's hand at this point, but John's just selfish enough, just craving the contact enough, not to.] I told Mr. Stark he might like to head into the new area to help people. You might be able to do that, as well. The passage through Hsiaoke Pass is extremely dangerous. People have died or been severely injured multiple times.
advanced: (bewildered)

[personal profile] advanced 2017-02-18 05:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[His brow furrows, focusing more on one part of that than on any other.]

You called me Sergeant Barnes, why?
jumpthegun: (confused | srsly...?)

[personal profile] jumpthegun 2017-02-18 05:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[Well, that's certainly a thing to focus on. John glances over at the other man, confused.]

You called me Dr. Watson. I thought...

You usually call me John.
advanced: (breathe)

[personal profile] advanced 2017-02-18 05:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Sorry, John.

[His jaw tenses like he isn't going to say any more, but even he's not dumb enough to think that can pass without comment.]

I don't remember a lot.
jumpthegun: (srs | empathy)

[personal profile] jumpthegun 2017-02-18 08:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh. [Well, now he feels like even more of a dick.] Sorry, Bucky. [With the way their conversation had gone regarding Stein, though.] Is there anything I can help do to fill in some of the gaps?
advanced: (disguised)

[personal profile] advanced 2017-02-18 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't know, I remember some things.

[He remembers being sad when John died, but not why. He remembers all the conversations they've had recently, and that just gives him conflicting information on how he should feel.]

Are we friends?
jumpthegun: (sad | look right)

[personal profile] jumpthegun 2017-02-18 09:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[John's brows knit for a moment.]

Yeah. But I... I haven't been a really good one to you lately. I'm sorry. I should've done more to keep you away from Pierce and help you take care of yourself.
advanced: (compromised)

[personal profile] advanced 2017-02-20 03:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[The confirmation is all he needs, it lets him slot a couple of things into place.]

You don't trust me any more because of what Pierce did, that's why you didn't want me to come and travel with you.

[It's not really a question, more just Bucky piecing things together out loud.]

Probably sensible.

[He wouldn't trust himself either.]

Is that why you ignored your promise and did what you did to Stein?
jumpthegun: (sad | broken)

[personal profile] jumpthegun 2017-02-21 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
No. [Well, to an extent.] Bucky, you're not the only one I turned down traveling with. [He glances up at Mary again.

You should tell him about me. He might figure it out on his own.

And back down to Bucky.]


I didn't want to travel with anyone. I'm not in a good way right now. I get angry and I... [John grimaces.] I hurt the people I care about most. I don't want to hurt you or anyone else. Sometimes it's hard to control myself. You shouldn't have to deal with that. No one should.

[He doesn't want other people to see him falling apart. It's a little better at the moment with the concrete task of getting to Sherlock and now that his death price is gone, but he can still feel the roil of emotions when he's not crushing them down. The guilt and the anger and the grief.]
advanced: (blend in)

[personal profile] advanced 2017-02-21 11:07 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, I wonder what it's like to be a danger to others and not want to travel with anyone because of it.

[Is that deadpan sarcasm? It might just be.]

I might not remember everything, but I know you were one of the people that wouldn't let me isolate myself completely. You stuck around even when I might hurt you, and that helped. It anchored me.

[He spreads the fingers of his remaining hand.]

I'm not scared of you hurting me, and maybe I can help.

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