[closed] wander or leave / turn into winter lights

[disassembles]

Who: Bruce, Bucky squared, Pepper, Elena, and Steve
Where: The training room, the gym, the coffee shop, and room 26-28 on the 7th floor.
When: 10/29 - 11/04
Rating: PG - R (for one log)
Summary: Mostly a late post-event catch-all.
The Story:


where did you go?

Comments

[hyperkinesia]

[ It's only by a little that he manages not to do a double-take at that question, but what's important is he does, glancing at Bucky briefly before looking back down. ]

Ah, the... event, right? I managed, as usual. [ Well. Not as usual, but. ] At least people didn't go around dying of dysentery.

[disassembles]

Tell me about it. Steve preferred the road trip, but I think he's the only one. [ And only because he got to move around as a ghost. Bucky just shakes his head.

He moves over to a spot on the mats to start stretching for the next round. ]

So what was that you were doin' when I walked in, anyway?

[hyperkinesia]

[ Bruce lets out a small amused huff, smile sharpening just a little. In some aspects he'll have to agree - at least that event didn't mess up with their memories or minds. They'd been entirely conscious of who they were, where they were and that it'd be over in a few days.

Storybrooke, however, had been entirely different, and in many ways much more complex. ]

Jiu-jitsu. [ He answers the question as he makes his way over to a corner to pick up a bottle of water. ] It's a type of martial arts. There are different variations, this one's Brazilian. Ever heard of it?

[disassembles]

[ Sometimes he gets the feeling that he's missing out on some inside joke only Bruce seems to know.

Bucky glances at him a moment, but he just shakes his head, moving on to the question at hand. ]

The name's familiar, but that's about the only thing. [ He must have read it somewhere. He's curious about why Bruce picked it up. Granted, he realizes turning anyone who picks a fight into street pizza isn't exactly an ideal solution... ] Self-defense?

[hyperkinesia]

[ Bucky and everyone. Sometimes Bruce tends to find humor where others don't, even if it's more like a bitter kind of amusement, one that leaves a bad taste in his mouth. Most times it falls in line with his tendency for sarcasm. ]

It can be, yes. It focuses on specific techniques that allow even smaller people to face and win against larger opponents. [ Not that Bruce has a need for that. He doesn't have any interest whatsoever in picking fights with anyone, bigger or smaller, and when he spars he makes sure to keep it friendly. ]

It's-- control. It helps me. Mind over body, all that.

[disassembles]

[ Bucky nods. That's another thing about Bruce; he seems to have a good sense of how to strip things down to the essential idea. Bucky figures he can do a little digging about it later. It's always useful to learn about different styles, and it sounds like a couple of the kids who are taking defense classes from him might benefit, too.

There's no way he can say he understands what Bruce goes through, but he does understand how the mind and body can help to focus each other. ]

The mind over body thing -- you gotta do it all the time, or what? I figured you only had to worry about control if you stubbed your toe gettin' out of bed in the morning.

[hyperkinesia]

[ It's not fundamental to understand what Bruce goes through every day, what he's taught himself to focus on and keep in check in order to live a relatively normal life - or at least more normal than before. Control is always a good thing, even if Bucky might not have the same reasons as Bruce to learn it. ]

Ah, but that's the thing. I have to always be ready for the eventuality that I'll stub my toe, and it won't catch me by surprise.

[ A hint of humor to his voice, like so often when he addresses this... condition of his. He's learned over time it's a good way to shield himself, to not let it all affect him as much as it once used to. ]

And for the record, stubbing my toe doesn't make me... you know. Lose it.

[disassembles]

Sounds exhausting. [ The sympathy is in his tone more than the words. ]

I only meant it as an example. I mean, you've been livin' on the same floor as the rest of us for months. If a little thing like that was gonna set you off, it would have happened already... And you don't strike me as the kind of guy who'd take the risk. [ Bucky shrugs. ]

Besides, I hear a while back you had a date with a certain redhead who'd get anyone a little... excited.

[hyperkinesia]

I got used to it. [ He shrugs a little. ] And no, I wouldn't have settled myself anywhere near other people if I couldn't... keep it under control.

[ If there were any risk, then he would find somewhere a little farther away. The basement, or a bedroom ways down the corridor - not so close to so many people, that's for sure.

The last remark catches Bruce by surprise a little, though it really shouldn't. He knew Pepper had told Bucky, after all. ] Right. [ Yes, that's about all he has to say about it. ]

[disassembles]

That's the polite way to say screw off Barnes, it's none of your business, right?

[ He gives Bruce a grin. ] You know, if you really want me to lay off on your romantic escapades, I will. It's not like I've got room to talk about wanting to keep things private.

[hyperkinesia]

Not exactly. [ He smiles a little, glancing at Bucky for a moment. ] It's more of my own way to say that... well, I don't know what to say to that.

[ With a shrug, he adds. ] I'm not a fan of people talking about me in general. My sense of self-preservation kicks in, in a way, even when I don't need it to. But it wasn't... it's private, but we never meant to keep it a secret or anything.

[disassembles]

[ Bucky's eyebrows raise, but he thinks he's starting to get it now. ]

If it helps, the teasing's well-meant, and you're welcome to give as good as you get. Pepper and I only gossip about you two love birds 'cuz we're happy for you.

[ Bucky spreads his arms and shrugs. ] It's the unfortunate downside to having us as friends. Luckily you managed to hook up before we figured out how to get you on a rowing date while we sing kiss the girl in the background.

[hyperkinesia]

It's not really my style, honestly. But I don't mind, really. I'm just... not used to being gossiped about.

[ He takes one last sip from his water, reaching for a towel as he grins lopsidedly at the last remark. ]

If you did something like that, chances are I'd actually take a lot longer to get around to it. So, good thing you didn't.

[disassembles]

Your loss. I've got a spectacular singing voice.

[ He really, really doesn't. ]

You finishing up, or do you think you can stick around and show me a couple moves? I've gotta teach a self-defense class now, and it's kinda nice to give 'em a few options.

[hyperkinesia]

[ Sounds like he dodged a bullet, then. ]

Sure, I can show you some things. I don't have anywhere to be. [ He sets the bottle down, and walks back to the mats, gesturing for Bucky to join him. ]

[disassembles]

[ Bucky saunters over, rolling his shoulders a little like he's gearing up for a fight. It's more of a habit than anything else. ]

I appreciate it, doc.