revivalproject | Network/Text

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Network/Text

Some of us at the hospital have been thinking that it would be good to get a general medical background from people, so we're better prepared in case of...well anything, really. Things like blood type, allergies, any known conditions or family history. But also, given we come from so many different places, there could be anatomical differences that may be important to know.

If you want to answer here you're welcome to, or myself and/or Lauri-Ell would be happy to meet with you in person.

I promise, we'll do our best to ensure this information stays private and is only used in case of emergency, but of course it's entirely voluntary. We understand if anyone would prefer not to.

And if anyone needs help with anything please don't hesitate to ask or drop by.

Private to: Soldier

How's your head today, any better?
I hope you've been taking care of yourself out there. Sometimes I wish you weren't so stubborn.
I might have some news to cheer you up. Are you busy?

-B (...obviously)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Way less cool fist bump. Got it.

[If his sixteen year old self could only see him now. Certainly in the best physical shape of his life, able to semi-confidently perform moves he never could have dreamed of, and being trained by one of his childhood heroes. He'd always thought athletic types and runners were exaggerating when they talked about the high of working out, but the more regularly he worked with Soldier the more he understood.

It was easy to see as he was starting to get worn out, focus slipping some, a little less quick on following through on Soldier's feed back.]

Give me one last good one. [He could see Billy tiring, but getting him to that point took more time than when they'd started training. He caught the punch and lowered his hands, pulling off the pads.] Good. Let's stretch so you don't get too stiff, then we're done with working out for the day.

[Stretching was the good kind, slow movements with the Soldier's hands helping where necessary to achieve and hold a deeper stretch. It also let him evaluate Billy's range of motion and how far he'd come in that respect as well.]

I'm proud of you for today. You've improved a lot.

How do you get used to that? [Billy shook his hands and arms out with a laugh, and wondered how badly all his non-magical heroes must ache after a long fight.

Stretching was much more in Billy's wheelhouse, having been a fan of yoga long before coming to this place, though he never knew how much better it could feel after a long work out, especially with Soldier helping to reach that deeper stretch.

He sighed with relief as he helped him reach that much deeper, smiling at that praise.]

Yeah? You're a good teacher, I couldn't have done any of it without you.

How do you mean? [The Soldier could interpret that question in several ways. He smoothed both hands along Billy's shoulder blades, helping him reach farther forward.]

You are a good student. It's a good feeling, working with someone like you.

The pain part. It's sore. [Billy flushed, wondering if maybe that was just something you harden to, and he was showing how unsuited to this he still was. He shrugged then.] Or...all of it, I guess? I like learning, but if I had to use this all the time like some of the heroes...I dunno if I'd be up for it.

[Soldier's words made him smile softly.] Feeling's mutual. Obviously. I know you maybe weren't into me checking in on you all the time, I know you like your space, but...I'm glad you put up with me. I think you're one of my closest friends here...

Where does it hurt? [He was pretty sure that he had a good enough sense of Billy's abilities to know when to stop, but he needed to make sure.] The pain is easy. You punch something hard, your knuckles hurt. You punch something too many times, your muscles get sore. It all makes sense, clear cause, clear effect. It's easy pain. Alive pain.

[He helped Billy ease out of the stretch and nodded his head to the side. Broken Agrii furniture comprised most of the spare furnishings but at least offered a place to sit.] I would not call it 'putting up with'. Your visits are neither overbearing or unwanted. I am not good company but it is an honor that you would consider me a friend, knowing what you know about what I am.

My hands mostly. My knuckles. Not horrible or anything, just...sore? [He explained with a bashful look. Obviously you didn't just...go numb to the pain. But was Soldier always in some kind of pain then? Always hurting? He tried his best to relate.] Like...the good kinds of fear?

[It felt much better, and Billy made himself comfortable, taking a seat.] You're awesome company. And I think your choices say a lot more about who you are then the choices other people made for you. People were the same about my mom...about Wanda, but that wasn't her either.

Let me have them. [If Billy consented he'd find the tension slowly rubbed out by callused fingers, Bucky's metal hand holding each wrist steady in turn.] Like the kind of pain that comes from your own actions, and not because someone else just felt like causing it.

[HYDRA was, well, HYDRA. But they didn't need to dwell on it.] Besides, I heal quickly.

[The Soldier also sat, a comfortable distance away. With Billy, that distance had shrunk to within the reach of Billy's arms. Funny, that.] I am absolutely poor company, and perpetuate it by choosing to keep the community at a distance. Shouldn't gloss over that fact.

[Billy didn't hesitate, offering his hands without thought, and the gesture surprised him, especially given how many times Soldier had shrugged off such things for himself.] That feels nice. Thank you.

[Ah. Well...Billy understood that a little better than he'd like to admit, having been a depressed teen fairly recently. Though he didn't imagine that was anything near the same as what Soldier had been through. Still, he frowned faintly at those final dismissive words, a look the Soldier would be familiar with by now.]

Is that something you want to change? [He tried to keep his tone neutral, but there was a teasing look in his eye, smiling softly.]

[Initiating touch himself was different than accepting touch coming from another. It was just another weird thing his brain did.] You're welcome.

[He shrugged. By now, the Soldier had gotten used to the idea that he didn't often get to have things the way he wanted them. Why should it be any different here, especially since he'd been activated?] Don't know. Don't like gatherings or crowds. Don't like being around groups of people. Don't like the questions they ask me, or the questions they ask each other thinking I can't hear. Mostly just want to live my own way. Doesn't matter, here.

Well, if I'm the only company you care to keep then you can't be poor company if I like you, can you? [Billy knew what Soldier was really getting at, but he did his best to keep things light for him when he could.] I don't like crowds either. Or...most people, really. But...if you want to reach out more...we can work on that? Obviously I am the totally *best* person to give social advice.

[He couldn't argue the company piece when Billy put it like that, but he could give Billy a Look that said he knew exactly what the other man was attempting to do.]

And the danger factor? [Realistically someone had to think about it.] The way I can be ordered to harm? Even if the Agrii choose to intervene, the damage may may already be done. There's a lot of hurt that could happen.

[Better for everyone if he wasn't close to many of them. If he had to be stopped, they'd probably have an easier time striking out against someone they didn't particularly like.]

So can I, remember? [Not in entirely the same way, but in this place at least it had been shown that Billy could be their tool just as easily as Soldier.] Should I come hide away with you?

You wouldn't enjoy that life, would you? [Billy had far too much of a life, his brother, his friends. His desire to be a part of the community itself.] So it's an irrelevant comparison.

I'd enjoy parts of it. [Billy flashed a teasing smile.] But if you're happy that way then there's nothing wrong with it. I just don't want you to feel like you have to.

You'd get sick of me eventually. [An argument or a defense? Or both?] And I doubt I could be viewed as trustworthy, when everyone knows how Beck could control me. Not exactly a comfortable community feeling there.

[With that argument, much better to spend his time alone. Or at least, at a distance, even if it did make Billy frown when he thought the Soldier wasn't looking.] Do you know what you want to do this evening? Other than show me the headache treatment.

Haven't yet. [Billy smiled, and didn't comment on Soldier's circular talk. It wasn't an issue to push all at once. He just had to remind him when he could that he'd support him if/when he was ready.]

Mmm, nothing too specific. Definitely want to teach you that. See how you're feeling. Have to catch you up on all the latest 'drama'. [He laughed softly.] Things have actually been pretty quiet since the plant stuff. What about you? Did you want to gossip? Or did you finally think of any books I can conjure up for you? Or movies? I've still got the cards.

It's early. [Not much of a serious argument, but that hardly mattered. Certain things the Soldier couldn't argue with Billy about.]

You know you can tell me anything you want. [Gossip or not, trivial or not, it didn't matter. Perhaps it was a holdover effect of their first meeting happening in that alternate world, but the Soldier didn't mind most topics of conversation with Billy, even the ones he wouldn't have chosen on his own.] Do you do much reading?

It really doesn't bug you, does it?

Mostly comics. [He admitted this with a sheepish smile.] And uh- fantasy stuff? I went through a pretty big Tolkien phase.

It does not. You help me learn to be...normal.

[Nothing to be embarrassed about, as far as the Soldier was concerned.] I've read The Hobbit. I remembered the other day. And some Jules Verne.

[Billy laughed. Not at the idea of Soldier being 'normal' but of himself being a roll model for whatever 'normal' was supposed to be. He was fairly certain he was not it. Still, he smiled and assured-] You're fine the way you are.

Really?? [Billy looked surprised and pleased. Did they have something 'nerdy' in common? Soldier had 'nerdy' interests??] Did you get to read the Lord of the Rings yet? It's like a bajillion years long, but I could conjure it if you wanted? And Jules Verne? Oh my god, you're a total closet nerd, I love it. I never would have guessed!

Perhaps. [He'd leave it at that, because it was a tricky slope on whose edge he teetered.]

Really. [He shook his head though.] I haven't. I think it came out after I was— drafted. But I liked Jules Verne, I liked thinking about technology and the future and all the wonders it would bring. [He looked down at his hands, flexed the left. The future and technology hadn't been as kind to him.]

[Billy shifted a little closer and reached over, broadcasting his intensions before laying a hand over that metal one with an understanding smile. He offered a small squeeze.]

We didn't do so great with the wonders, huh? [He tried to lighten the mood a little.] No flying cars or anything.

[The Soldier nodded, a small motion, and allowed Billy to touch. The squeeze barely registered to the pressure sensors but still, he could feel it. And he could return it.]

Didn't do so bad either. A lot of people did a lot of good things. Can't judge it all by HYDRA. [The lack of flying cars was a little disappointing but shook things considered, he could make that small concession.] Went to see one, night before I— night before...

[He grimaced, shaking his head. It took him a minute to finish the thought.] ...Night before I shipped out.

Yeah? [Billy showed cautious interest after that grimace. He was always curious to learn more about Soldier's happier memories, but it seemed like delicate ground to tread.] A flying car, or-?? [His head tilted with poorly suppressed interest.] Way back then?

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