And this is the song that the nightbirds wail

[bucky_cap]

Who: Capes and associated
When: All week 138
Where: Capes' secret hideout for the trip
Summary: A cowl is a weighty thing. Just like last trip, a rendezvous point is set up, somewhere for the capes to crash and be able to take their masks off in peace. With gold collars in place and more raids happening, the population around the base may start to

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WEDNESDAY PRE-RAID | CLOSED TO BUCKY

[bridalgownwings]

[It was the afternoon and he had nothing better to do. Sure, it was likely safest thing to do after Monday's attack, to stick close to the safe-house and yeah, that's what he was doing but honestly he needed to get out into the air even though there was still a distinct smell of iron that drifted over the landscape. Something akin to what his berry had been doing in the week prior, Timothy stood amongst the rocks piled on top of each other, ledges and coves hidden against the desert sun that blared down past thick clouds pushing and pulling between each others space, a proverbial battle. It reminded him of being by the lake at home, though so much different in aesthetics as considering the surroundings reminded him a western film compared to the greenery of his hometown

[bucky_cap]

[Tensions had been high since the Monday raid. When will it happen again? was the question on everyone's minds, no doubt. The gold collars didn't help in making people less nervous. Bucky had fought to defend the main stronghold during the Monday raid, and the one last week, and he would fight again if it were attacked once more, but for now, things were quiet.

Not quiet enough for Bucky to be out of uniform, though. He had worn it constantly since Monday after attempting to patch the few rips in it from battle. When he wanders out, quiet as a shadow, his cowl is down, expression almost blank, shield on his back. Wordlessly, he climbs the rock pile to stand by Timothy, a commanding presence despite his shorter height. Even unmasked, in this uniform, he's Captain America.]

Hey.

[bridalgownwings]

[He heard him approaching because he could hear the sound of the slip of the smaller rocks and the rustle of the dried out grass amongst the desert landscape. Still, Timothy didn't turn to face him, simply halted his song as he looked outward and exhaled quietly. Rocking back on his heels he shoved his hands in his pockets. The silence lingers after the familiar voice speaks until he parts his lips once more and finally turned to face Bucky a little more, eyes dark and not at full of life as they normally were, they had gone back to how they looked before he started to meet people at facility, before he started to come out of his shell.] Hey.

How are you feeling?

[bucky_cap]

[The lack of a greeting smile bothers him a little. Timothy usually gives him that, at least. He can't really blame him, though, things had gotten pretty bad this trip. People are hurt, people are missing, the reaver threat constantly looms over their heads like a dark cloud. All the peace from the first week is gone.

It's enough to shake anyone to their foundation, but especially someone who isn't used to seeing things like this. Bucky was raised on war. He killed his first man at sixteen. He's learned how to handle death and fighting and bloodshed and killing; Timothy hasn't, has he?]

Good as I can, all things considered. [He glances down to his side, to the white of bandages peeking out a small rip in his suit.] This side's practically all scar tissue anyway.

[His voice softens just a touch as he turns his gaze back to Timothy.] How are you doing? I know this is a lot to deal with.

[bridalgownwings]

[When the other glances, he glances out of the corner of his sight, noting the bandages and quietly allowing a sigh to escape his mouth. At least he is standing, but with Bucky that didn't mean he was okay--he was stubborn and Timothy knew that much about him after spending so much time in his company and taking care of him during the last F3 they had traveled to. The other was the closest anyone had ever come to being a father to him, to Timothy he pretty much was his dad and even though he was afraid to say it and even though he had been in a slump lately, he knew the other likely knew that much.

No, he had never experienced anything like this before, never expected it and he had never wanted to because when he read about these kinds of things in history texts and other books, he knew he never wanted to be part of it. Still, keeping his gaze out to the surroundings he is quiet as he replies, brows furrowed.]

You sure you're alright? [Came the utterance before he continued.]

And I'm fine. I'll be fine.

[bucky_cap]

[Bucky watches quietly for a few moments, before he lays a hand gently on Timothy's shoulder, turning his gaze out to the horizon again.] I'm sure. It isn't very deep. [Hopefully that will alleviate his worry some, but again, 'not very deep' to Bucky doesn't mean the same thing as 'not very deep' to a normal person.]

I don't think you are fine, kiddo. Doesn't take a mind-reader to know you're not used to war, especially war like this. You wanna talk about it?

[bridalgownwings]

[At the weight of the others hand he turns to look over at him quietly, his eyes trailing the older figures face before allowing a sigh to escape and his gaze to settle back on the horizon.] That doesn't mean anything.

[Came the comment in a near amused fashion, knowing that Bucky had a higher tolerance for pain than most people.] I don't know. I just--I don't have anything to say about it. It's all the same.

Same worries, same issues and after Tim-- [He tenses and allows a breath to escape.] --I worry even more about that list.

[bucky_cap]

[Bucky just shakes his head slightly at that. Sure, it doesn't mean much since he does have a very high tolerance for pain and injury, but still. He really doesn't want Timothy to worry about him on top of everything else. He's had way too much to be concerned about lately.]

...I wish I could say something to ease those worries. I can't tell you people won't keep showing up on that list. But thinking about it constantly isn't going to change anything, y'know. You're just gonna make yourself sick worrying.

[bridalgownwings]

[He listens to what the other has to say--but like Bucky has said many of times, he is not used to things like this so his innate sense of worry only increases. A breath and he looks down to the ground, looking at his feet alongside the others. Brows furrowing slightly he shifts his position to look over at the other.] It doesn't matter.

Time will pass, I'll get over it and move on--that's how it goes. It's just something else to get used to.

[bucky_cap]

[Bucky slips his arm over Timothy's shoulders, sighing softly as he stares out at the landscape. He feels he should try to be positive for the kid, but... he can't be. He just isn't that sort of man.]

Sometimes things get better. Sometimes they don't. But you're a strong kid. Whatever this place throws at you, you'll get through it, I know that.

And you're never gonna be alone here.

[bridalgownwings]

[Leaning more against the other he lets out a small sigh, his brow furrowing somewhat. He would rather have honesty than anything else and he knows that Bucky can provide that more than anyone here now. He thinks about the others that could be like that--but they are gone now.] Thanks for the vote of confidence.

[He pauses.] I hope so. If I lost someone like you, I don't know what I would do with myself.

[bucky_cap]

[There really isn't any sense in lying to Timothy. He's a smart kid, and strong. He worries about him, of course, but not quite as much as he used to.] You've always got my vote of confidence.

...You won't. They're not gonna take me like that. [Maybe he can't promise that he won't be terminated, but... He has no intention of laying back and letting it happen. If it takes being interesting to stay alive, then damn it, he'll be the most interesting motherfucker in this place.]

[bridalgownwings]

[He would be honored to know that Bucky does not worry about him as much as he used to but he always knows that he is no hero, he is just so average kid in a strange place and that's pretty much how it will stand till he is terminated.] I'm glad, I think.

[Timothy hums at the others second reply though, his brow remaining furrowed as he looks out and leans against the other a little more.] I hope not.

I really do.

[bucky_cap]

[He lets Timothy lean against him, arm around his shoulders giving him a light squeeze of a hug.]

They won't. I'm always gonna be around. Now, you want to talk about what else is bothering you?

[bridalgownwings]

[An exhale and he looks out to the city. There is a sound in the background though, something is coming and while he can hear it mildly--plenty of people have found out how to work the ships to transfer goods back and forth throughout the landscape.] It's nothing really.

Same old.

[bucky_cap]

[Bucky isn't one to take strange noises for granted, though. it could have just been Alfred ferrying the ship he found back, but it's best to be aware, to be alert, to- He glances up at the horizon and frowns at the dark shape on the sky.]

...We might have visitors again soon, kiddo.