losthunter (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
losthunter) wrote2017-12-31 12:54 pm
losthunter) wrote2017-12-31 12:54 pm
Helping a Friend In Need
Hunter was glad that he might know someone who would help Steve. It was just a matter of introducing Steve to April, and hope that the other woman can help Steve. Hunter really hoped that she could.
He arranged for a table of three at the Nexus cafe, sending the coordinates to both Steve and April.
His arm was better, with just the bones left in his hand left to regrow. It felt nice to not have to wear a full arm sling anymore. And his hand was protected by a simple glove that ensured that the healing process would continue.
Hunter had already ordered a hot chocolate. And was just waiting for his guests to arrive.
He arranged for a table of three at the Nexus cafe, sending the coordinates to both Steve and April.
His arm was better, with just the bones left in his hand left to regrow. It felt nice to not have to wear a full arm sling anymore. And his hand was protected by a simple glove that ensured that the healing process would continue.
Hunter had already ordered a hot chocolate. And was just waiting for his guests to arrive.
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She brings one of the words slightly to the mindscape. The word is not enough of a presence to trigger his mind control. But enough that he is aware of the word. Zhelaniye. Longing.
April gives the word some substance, so both Steve and Bucky can 'watch' her work. Even though in reality there is nothing there. It is still all part of her established psychic reality.
Slowly, letter by letter, strand by strand, April disconnects the word to the mind control that takes command of Bucky. She delicately unweaves the many mental strands that are connecting this word to Bucky's mind.
It takes her time. But in the psychic reality, it might seem like only minutes, when in truth it is a lot longer.
April continues to concentrate and focus, until all the strands connecting the word to the mind control are gone. And the word is nothing but a word.
"Like that."
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Hours pass.
The light of day begins to fade, leaving the artificial lights more pronounced when the light from outside the window dims. The room has been still for all this time, but soon Steve's knees begin to buckle and he drops down onto them on the floor, still unconscious as far as anyone can see.
Inside the mindscape, it doesn't feel as though it's been very long at all. Steve sits on his knees next to his friend and rubs at his back reassuringly while April works. The constant tremors of Bucky's shoulders ease the longer she works. He's still shaking but so much less when she finishes with her work.
Zhelaniye.
Nothing reverberates, his only reaction Bucky knows is one of trauma. The seizing isn't there. It's not there. His breath rushes out of him in a broken sob. If this isn't real. If this is a dream--
"I got you Buck. I'm here for you. Till the end of the line." Steve holds onto him. His own hands are shaking now as though he's run himself ragged though Steve doesn't know why. His breathing comes just as shakily. "Always."
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April's true physical appearance is more vampiric by this point too. Her fangs have elongated. And she is breathing heavily. She leans over the cyro tube to support herself, from the exhaustion of the psychic work.
Inside of the psychic reality, April finds a place to sit. "The others will take time. I can not do them all at once. It would be too much for me. For you. For Steve."
"But I want to help you get your mind back, Bucky."
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"I'll be with you every step of the way, alright?"
"Y...Yeah. Okay." The Asset does not feel fear but James Buchanen Barnes is no longer just a tool. And he is afraid. But for the first time in decades, there's hope too. A small sliver of it.
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She leaves the psychic reality, but keeps the mental mindscape alive so that Bucky and Steve can talk in private.
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"It's gonna be okay this time, Bucky." Steve's voice shakes but he holds his friend to his chest tightly and repeats the promise over and over. He won't let Bucky disappear again. Not again. He's with Buck for good this time. Till the end of the line.
"Go on. Get outta here for now. This place ain't good for you. You're shaking like a leaf." Bucky smiles up at Steve then.
Maybe they will be okay.
Steve gasps deep when he opens his eyes. Dazed and unsure why he's on the floor. He looks around the room in Wakanda.
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His voice is full of concern.
April has walked away from the cyro tube, so she can face away from the two men, taking deep breaths to calm herself. And refocus herself.
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Steve grips the artist's hand, shaking slightly when he does so. Too much. It's too much in that place. Or too long. Either way Steve feels rattled now, and more than a little weirded out.
"I saw him. I talked to him..."
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"Good. I am so glad."
April is shaking a little herself. She feels very thirsty right now. And is trying to keep calm. "What time is it?"
"It has been hours since you guys went into the mindscape," Hunter answers.
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"We were only in there a few minutes though." Still, when he looks around, he can tell a lot of time has passed. It's alarming but no one seems to be hurt.
"I'm sorry Hunter. Leaving you here for that long."
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"But that time was needed to successfully break free that word, so it would no longer have any power over your friend."
"I was just worried about you both." Hunter explains. "You must be exhausted."
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"Are you okay?"
He looks back at Hunter and gives a small nod.
"I'm way more tired than I expected to be."
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Hunter offers Steve some assistance to get back to his feet.
"I still want to help remove the rest of the words. We should make a schedule of when we can come back. If you are willing," April suggests.
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"Yes. We need--whatever it takes. If you can free Bucky from that, I'll do whatever it takes."
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"I am here for you both, if you want me here." Hunter offers.
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"I know you said you weren't going to ask for anything in return but...this is an awful lot to do for a stranger. Is...there anything I can offer you in return?"
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April tilts her head. Smiles softly, her fangs still showing. "You seem like the kind of person who protects others. You deserve a little of kindness in return. Without expecting anything back."
"In a way, you remind me a lot of Clark. My husband."
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His country, humanity in general. Just really the kind of guy who wants to do his best to keep others safe.
"You told me that last time we talked, too. I hope that's a good thing."
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She pulls out her PINpoint device, so she can give Steve her direct contact information for next time.
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For a century old man Steve navigates the PINpoint installed on his Starkphone pretty well. It only takes him a moment to enter in April's contact information. Once finished, he gives Hunter a sideways glance.
"Ready to go back to the Nexus?"
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[and a good scene.]