[It's an easy promise to make, and an easy one to fulfill. And Bucky thinks that maybe she needs easy promises, things that come true with no strings attached. Maybe she needs it as much as a safe place and clean clothes and a full belly. These are things he can provide, with Tony's help and his eyes flick up to Tony quickly before he turns all his attention back to Laura.
Metal fingers curl carefully over hers, holding her hand. It's heavier than it should be, heavier than the bone structure suggests, and that makes him wonder.] Do you want to tell me about it? You don't have to if you don't want to.
[With a wink at Tony though he does lean in closer to Laura, speaking in an easily-overheard stage whisper.] He's not always that modest either.
Promise? [ Her head tilts a little to the side when he says that word. She does not know what it means. Promise.
Tony watches their interactions, unable to keep the barest hint of a smile off of his face. He sees the way his expression changes, but isn't sure what it means, exactly. He'll let him run point on this. It's just easier.
Her mouth purses a little bit, but then ends up less pinched when he whispers loudly with a teasing lilt to his voice when it comes to the other man. She can tell that they like each other's company. ]
Easier to show you. [ She takes her backpack up into her lap, and pulls out the pink phone that Gabriella had. She knows there are moving pictures on them that will explain. It won't turn on, though, and she doesn't know how to make it. ]
Can I take a look at that? [ Tony asks, and smiles when she places it in his hand. She takes her other hand off of Bucky's metal one, teeth worrying her bottom lip a moment. Holding one hand up away from both of the me, she reaches out with the other to pat at each of theirs in turn. ]
Away. Not safe. Cuidadoso.
[ Tony shifts back a little, hands up in a little gesture that he'll keep them away, and nods. Once Laura is satisfied that they are both not going to be in danger of them, she let's out her adamantium claws. ] They made us. Then they did not want us.
Promise. Promesa. It means that I'm going to follow through with what I said, no matter what. And it means that you can trust me.
[Though it's sad that she doesn't know what a promise is. But, on the other hand, that should mean she doesn't know the pain of a broken promise either, which he sees as a small mercy. And though her actions bring a lot of questions he bites them all back, especially with the phone surrendered. If there's anything on there, Tony will know how to get to it.
More important in the moment is how she's holding herself, and warning them away from her. Bucky murmurs his assent to her warning, watching curiously, and he doesn't quite manage to hide all of his drawn breath at the claws that slide from her skin. He thinks it explains the blood he'd noticed on her knuckles earlier, though it doesn't explain how or why her skin had been so smooth.
Carefully, and moving slowly so that she can see him, he touches the outside of her hand with his metal fingers, right at the edge of the wrist and far away from her claws. Her words are simple, and maybe he's reading too much into them, but in Bucky's eyes he sees an organization not unlike HYDRA. And like HYDRA he thinks they're probably actively looking to take her back.
He glances over at Tony before speaking.]
We want you. I want you. I want you to be safe, and to eat Chinese food, and to not have to worry about them. Is that okay?
[ She likes that word, she thinks. Likes that it means that she can trust. She trusted Gabriella. What happened to her was not her fault. It happened because she helped Laura and her friends.
Tony puts the phone on a clear patch of table, JARVIS connects to it and starts charging and downloading the necessary information. He and Bucky can sort though it later. Or Tony first if he's still busy with their little house guest. He can't help the widening of his eyes when he sees the claws. His first thought is revulsion at the fact that someone would do something like this to a child. It was bad enough that it was something that happened to the man he loves.
But a kid?
Laura doesn't move when Bucky touches her hand. She leaves them out a moment longer and then lets them retract. It bleeds but a little, and then the skin heals as if they had never emerged. ]
[Bucky looks away only enough to grab a napkin from their meal, wiping the blood from her knuckles as gently as he can. There are no signs of wounds where the claws had emerged, no evidence of harm at all. Now the blood he'd seen on her earlier makes a little more sense, since she seemingly heals even faster than he does.
This is far, far from okay but they're in a position where they can help Laura, and he's not going to turn his back on her. He reaches for the table again, this time to grab two packages of paper-wrapped chopsticks, handing one to her and keeping one for himself.]
Ready for the lesson I promised?
[How to use chopsticks. It's a simple enough thing; he'd picked it up pretty easily but he's also pretty dexterous. And patient; he doesn't mind taking the time to show her how to position the utensils in her hands, how to use them to pick up the wontons of which he's so fond.
It's not really about the wontons though, and not about the chopsticks either. It's about giving her a promise, and following through on it. That's important, and he knows that Tony won't begrudge the attention he gives to her.]
[ Glad. She knows that word. She thinks it's a little strange that her agreeing to stay with them should make him---them---happy. Maybe it is because they are different. They are---good.
She offers a pinched expression when he rushes to clean her knuckles. It hurts a little, yes, but not much. Pain was not something they were taught to acknowledge. It would only slow them down. She lets Bucky clean up her hand, and then takes the paper-wrapped package when it's offered to her, nodding. ]
Si.
[ Tony grabs a pair of chopsticks as well. Making a mental note to have JARVIS run back the recording of how quickly she healed after that. It might be information they need when looking into this. The only person he knows who can do that kind of work is Helen Cho, and he knows she doesn't experiment on kids.
Maybe, god help him, she might know the kind of people who would. Still, it's easy to get distracted from his thoughts, a little more than usual, with the fact that Bucky is so keen on helping their new guest. How patient and gentle he is with her.
It's a long way from where they started all those years ago. ]
[He's patient as he coaches Laura through holding and using the chopsticks, slipping into Spanish since she seems to understand it better, and moving back to English to talk quietly with Tony. It's nice and while he knows the peace won't last — it can't, there are people after her, they need to find out who and why — he can at least give her this for a night.
And maybe it takes them three times longer than it should to eat but that's no problem, right? Bucky's just glad to see her get a little more comfortable, and he himself feels very comfortable with Tony, secure in their house. He knows that Tony's brain is likely already spinning ahead to the possibilities of who could have done this and who might have some insight, but those conversations can wait until later. Bucky has the feeling that Laura hasn't really had the chance to just be a little girl, and it's something she should experience.]
[ Tony doesn't interject much when Bucky is teaching Laura how to use the chopsticks. If he swipes at a piece in jest when the other man's holding it, well, that's just how they are at this point. She seems to relax a bit more as the night wears on, or at least as much as a kid hunted can relax. That smile even creeps up a couple more times and Tony resolves to see it more often.
Even if that means going toe to toe with whatever organization did this. Especially if.
Laura eats a lot. More food than she thinks she's ever been allowed to eat in ---well, as far as she can remember. She's happily full enough to just sit back and relax a little, fiddling with the edge of the couch cushion just because. It's not long before she yawns, and reaches up and rubs at her face a little. ]
You know, I think we've got a spot you can sleep if you wanna bunk down. It's not much right now, but if you want, tomorrow, I can show you some stuff and we can order it if you like it?
[ He doubts whatever facility had her allowed such quaint, homey things. It'll be a novel experience for sure.
She looks to Bucky as if to ask if this is ok. It's nothing against Tony, but he was not the one that she decided could help her at first. She sees a soft sort of look on his face and nods back at Tony. ] Por favor.
[It's good to see Laura relaxing a little, even smiling. He doesn't think she's gotten to be a kid very much, which is just sad. He resolves to make sure she has the opportunity now. And if that opportunity starts with too much Chinese food and clumsy chopsticks lessons, well, there are worse things in life.
There's no need to rush through the meal, and no need to rush after it either. Bucky notices the yawn when Tony does, but Tony's quicker to respond to it, and he shoots his lover a thankful look over Laura's head.
He smiles encouragingly when Laura looks at him.]
We'll get you set up in a guest room but tomorrow we can start personalizing it however you want. It'll be special, just for you.
[Part of him can't believe they're going to do this, but Tony seems all for it, and Laura needs their help. Bucky doesn't think he could turn his back on her. He's glad that Tony's on the same wavelength.
When Laura looks like she's ready to think seriously about some sleep, Bucky leans in to press another kiss to Tony's cheek before standing up and offering her his hand.]
[ Bucky would be very right in the assumption that she did not get a chance to be a kid. She's curious about the few children she has seen since escaping from the place that held her and the others. It takes a few tries before she manages to pick anything up, and a couple of times she drops it before it manages to make it to her mouth. It seems to amuse them, and their smiles don't frustrate her.
In fact, they earn an answering one from her. It's a very strange thing, but she likes it. ]
Personalizing?
[ Tony starts to pick up the food items they still have left over. Stopping only to comment that if she wants more, it'll be in the kitchen, which he points to. JARVIS can tell her where it is. She doesn't have to ask permission if she's hungry or thirsty.
He knows what it's like to be restricted, even if it can't possibly have been for as long as she has been. He smiles at the kiss to his cheek, and nods his head in the direction of the guest room with a fond look. ]
Would like to sleep, yes.
[ She takes Bucky's hand and slides off of the couch, looking back at Tony and wondering what the gesture was for. She's seen it with other people. Maybe she will ask later. ]
Personalizando. [Though the translation still might not help, if she’s no real experience in making something her own.] Choosing things you like, instead of just what we have. We can paint the walls a different color, or get you some different furniture, or change the bedclothes.
[He shortens his stride for her legs as they walk, her smaller hand held in his own. He thinks it's probably safest to put her as close to them as possible and leads her toward the area of the house that holds their bedroom. There’s a guest room in that hallway, small only in comparison to the size of the room Tony and he now share. It used to be his room, before he and Tony fell into their relationship. It’s been empty since then and he thinks she might be a good fit for the space.]
Tony and I will be close by, and nothing can even get onto the grounds here without eating off a ton of alarms. You’ll be perfectly safe.
[The space itself is done up in neutral shades, plain but comfortable. There’s an attached bathroom and a walk-in closet, a desk and chair, and the neatly-made bed.]
How’s this look to you? Think you want to stay here?
[ It's a lot of information all at once, and she doesn't get what he means by saying that she can change things to what she likes. She only knows a little of that. She saw these animals once, and liked those. Horses, they were called.
It will take time for her to believe that she is safe there. That anywhere could possibly be safe from the Reavers and Dr. Rice. Her eyes widen as they walk into the room, and Tony keeps a safe distance, not wanting to spoil the moment she's having with Barnes. She nods a little. ]
Don’t worry about it. I’ll explain a little better in the morning.
[It’ll give him some time to think of how to explain it. On the plus side, Bucky has very personal experience with trying to figure out how to be a normal person after living so many years as an experiment, a weapon, a thing. While he hates that Laura may have had similar experiences, he thinks that maybe being able to relate will help.
He smiles a little when she nods, trying to be reassuring.]
Tony and I are right down the hall, if you feel like you don’t want to be alone. [Not scared; he doesn’t get the impression that she scares easily. Then again the threats in her life seem very real, as real as things that both he and Tony have faced.] Do you have clothes to sleep in, or do you want me to bring you a clean tee to use for tonight?
[ She nods a little when he says that he'll explain it in the morning. Going closer to the bed, she runs a hand over the comforter. It's very soft. She pokes a little at the numerous pillows on it. She's never had a bed like this. ]
Down the hall? [ She looks toward the door. They would be easy to find by scent if she needed to. Laura looks down at herself and tugs a little at her hoodie. ]
Down the hall, yes. [He points in order to illustrate the direction.] If anything bothers you, you can come get me and I'll stay with you.
[He doesn't think Tony will mind at all. They've spent plenty of nights curled around each other's nightmares to begrudge it of their newest guest.]
Tell you what, you can take a shower and get all cleaned up, and I'll come bring you a shirt to sleep in. In the morning we'll get you some new clothes that fit a little better. What do you say?
[ She doesn’t know why she would. She has bad dreams, but she’s never been familiar with the idea of comfort after them. They just happen. She has to cope with that.
She looks towards the bathroom, and nods. Tony mentions there being soap and a towel in there for her to use. She can use the bathrobe to wrap up when she comes out to get dressed. ]
I would like to get clean clothes please.
[ She does not like the smell of them, but she hasn’t been able to do anything about it. She’s also unused to people being so kind to her. ]
[He's under the impression that she's more of an independent soul, and that out of necessity. Bucky doesn't want to push, but he doesn't want Laura thinking she needs to handle everything on her own. They can help her, if she wants it. He thinks that maybe she does, and maybe she just needs to get used to the idea.]
If you put your dirty clothes in that basket in the corner, I'll come get them and wash them up so they'll be clean for you tomorrow. And then we can get you some other clothes too, so you have more than one outfit.
[He doesn't know if she'll want to keep her clothes once they've been cleaned, or discard them for entirely new things. But at least she'll be set for the night with the bathrobe, oversized as it is, and one of Bucky's shirts to sleep in. He'll move to get it while she's in the shower, leaving it for her on the bed and taking her clothes to be cleaned. He doesn't think she'll need him for the rest of the night — she'd looked tired enough to just curl up and sleep — but she knows how to find him if she does.]
[ She doesn't know anything else. They were left to their own devices more often than not. There weren't a lot of toys either. Some of her friends had them. Like the rubber bouncing ball. Or the man in the yellow suit with claws. ]
I can do that.
[ She goes and cleans up, sniffing at the nice smelling soaps and other things. It is nice to take time and get all the dirt and grime off of her. She gets out not long after, dries off with the towel, and wraps up in the bathrobe. It's soft and comfortable and makes her smile. After, she pads out into the room, and hops up on the bed to wait for the clothes. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[It's an easy promise to make, and an easy one to fulfill. And Bucky thinks that maybe she needs easy promises, things that come true with no strings attached. Maybe she needs it as much as a safe place and clean clothes and a full belly. These are things he can provide, with Tony's help and his eyes flick up to Tony quickly before he turns all his attention back to Laura.
Metal fingers curl carefully over hers, holding her hand. It's heavier than it should be, heavier than the bone structure suggests, and that makes him wonder.] Do you want to tell me about it? You don't have to if you don't want to.
[With a wink at Tony though he does lean in closer to Laura, speaking in an easily-overheard stage whisper.] He's not always that modest either.
no subject
Tony watches their interactions, unable to keep the barest hint of a smile off of his face. He sees the way his expression changes, but isn't sure what it means, exactly. He'll let him run point on this. It's just easier.
Her mouth purses a little bit, but then ends up less pinched when he whispers loudly with a teasing lilt to his voice when it comes to the other man. She can tell that they like each other's company. ]
Easier to show you. [ She takes her backpack up into her lap, and pulls out the pink phone that Gabriella had. She knows there are moving pictures on them that will explain. It won't turn on, though, and she doesn't know how to make it. ]
Can I take a look at that? [ Tony asks, and smiles when she places it in his hand. She takes her other hand off of Bucky's metal one, teeth worrying her bottom lip a moment. Holding one hand up away from both of the me, she reaches out with the other to pat at each of theirs in turn. ]
Away. Not safe. Cuidadoso.
[ Tony shifts back a little, hands up in a little gesture that he'll keep them away, and nods. Once Laura is satisfied that they are both not going to be in danger of them, she let's out her adamantium claws. ] They made us. Then they did not want us.
no subject
[Though it's sad that she doesn't know what a promise is. But, on the other hand, that should mean she doesn't know the pain of a broken promise either, which he sees as a small mercy. And though her actions bring a lot of questions he bites them all back, especially with the phone surrendered. If there's anything on there, Tony will know how to get to it.
More important in the moment is how she's holding herself, and warning them away from her. Bucky murmurs his assent to her warning, watching curiously, and he doesn't quite manage to hide all of his drawn breath at the claws that slide from her skin. He thinks it explains the blood he'd noticed on her knuckles earlier, though it doesn't explain how or why her skin had been so smooth.
Carefully, and moving slowly so that she can see him, he touches the outside of her hand with his metal fingers, right at the edge of the wrist and far away from her claws. Her words are simple, and maybe he's reading too much into them, but in Bucky's eyes he sees an organization not unlike HYDRA. And like HYDRA he thinks they're probably actively looking to take her back.
He glances over at Tony before speaking.]
We want you. I want you. I want you to be safe, and to eat Chinese food, and to not have to worry about them. Is that okay?
no subject
Tony puts the phone on a clear patch of table, JARVIS connects to it and starts charging and downloading the necessary information. He and Bucky can sort though it later. Or Tony first if he's still busy with their little house guest. He can't help the widening of his eyes when he sees the claws. His first thought is revulsion at the fact that someone would do something like this to a child. It was bad enough that it was something that happened to the man he loves.
But a kid?
Laura doesn't move when Bucky touches her hand. She leaves them out a moment longer and then lets them retract. It bleeds but a little, and then the skin heals as if they had never emerged. ]
That is okay.
no subject
[Bucky looks away only enough to grab a napkin from their meal, wiping the blood from her knuckles as gently as he can. There are no signs of wounds where the claws had emerged, no evidence of harm at all. Now the blood he'd seen on her earlier makes a little more sense, since she seemingly heals even faster than he does.
This is far, far from okay but they're in a position where they can help Laura, and he's not going to turn his back on her. He reaches for the table again, this time to grab two packages of paper-wrapped chopsticks, handing one to her and keeping one for himself.]
Ready for the lesson I promised?
[How to use chopsticks. It's a simple enough thing; he'd picked it up pretty easily but he's also pretty dexterous. And patient; he doesn't mind taking the time to show her how to position the utensils in her hands, how to use them to pick up the wontons of which he's so fond.
It's not really about the wontons though, and not about the chopsticks either. It's about giving her a promise, and following through on it. That's important, and he knows that Tony won't begrudge the attention he gives to her.]
no subject
She offers a pinched expression when he rushes to clean her knuckles. It hurts a little, yes, but not much. Pain was not something they were taught to acknowledge. It would only slow them down. She lets Bucky clean up her hand, and then takes the paper-wrapped package when it's offered to her, nodding. ]
Si.
[ Tony grabs a pair of chopsticks as well. Making a mental note to have JARVIS run back the recording of how quickly she healed after that. It might be information they need when looking into this. The only person he knows who can do that kind of work is Helen Cho, and he knows she doesn't experiment on kids.
Maybe, god help him, she might know the kind of people who would. Still, it's easy to get distracted from his thoughts, a little more than usual, with the fact that Bucky is so keen on helping their new guest. How patient and gentle he is with her.
It's a long way from where they started all those years ago. ]
no subject
And maybe it takes them three times longer than it should to eat but that's no problem, right? Bucky's just glad to see her get a little more comfortable, and he himself feels very comfortable with Tony, secure in their house. He knows that Tony's brain is likely already spinning ahead to the possibilities of who could have done this and who might have some insight, but those conversations can wait until later. Bucky has the feeling that Laura hasn't really had the chance to just be a little girl, and it's something she should experience.]
no subject
Even if that means going toe to toe with whatever organization did this. Especially if.
Laura eats a lot. More food than she thinks she's ever been allowed to eat in ---well, as far as she can remember. She's happily full enough to just sit back and relax a little, fiddling with the edge of the couch cushion just because. It's not long before she yawns, and reaches up and rubs at her face a little. ]
You know, I think we've got a spot you can sleep if you wanna bunk down. It's not much right now, but if you want, tomorrow, I can show you some stuff and we can order it if you like it?
[ He doubts whatever facility had her allowed such quaint, homey things. It'll be a novel experience for sure.
She looks to Bucky as if to ask if this is ok. It's nothing against Tony, but he was not the one that she decided could help her at first. She sees a soft sort of look on his face and nods back at Tony. ] Por favor.
no subject
There's no need to rush through the meal, and no need to rush after it either. Bucky notices the yawn when Tony does, but Tony's quicker to respond to it, and he shoots his lover a thankful look over Laura's head.
He smiles encouragingly when Laura looks at him.]
We'll get you set up in a guest room but tomorrow we can start personalizing it however you want. It'll be special, just for you.
[Part of him can't believe they're going to do this, but Tony seems all for it, and Laura needs their help. Bucky doesn't think he could turn his back on her. He's glad that Tony's on the same wavelength.
When Laura looks like she's ready to think seriously about some sleep, Bucky leans in to press another kiss to Tony's cheek before standing up and offering her his hand.]
You want me to show you where you can sleep?
no subject
In fact, they earn an answering one from her. It's a very strange thing, but she likes it. ]
Personalizing?
[ Tony starts to pick up the food items they still have left over. Stopping only to comment that if she wants more, it'll be in the kitchen, which he points to. JARVIS can tell her where it is. She doesn't have to ask permission if she's hungry or thirsty.
He knows what it's like to be restricted, even if it can't possibly have been for as long as she has been. He smiles at the kiss to his cheek, and nods his head in the direction of the guest room with a fond look. ]
Would like to sleep, yes.
[ She takes Bucky's hand and slides off of the couch, looking back at Tony and wondering what the gesture was for. She's seen it with other people. Maybe she will ask later. ]
no subject
[He shortens his stride for her legs as they walk, her smaller hand held in his own. He thinks it's probably safest to put her as close to them as possible and leads her toward the area of the house that holds their bedroom. There’s a guest room in that hallway, small only in comparison to the size of the room Tony and he now share. It used to be his room, before he and Tony fell into their relationship. It’s been empty since then and he thinks she might be a good fit for the space.]
Tony and I will be close by, and nothing can even get onto the grounds here without eating off a ton of alarms. You’ll be perfectly safe.
[The space itself is done up in neutral shades, plain but comfortable. There’s an attached bathroom and a walk-in closet, a desk and chair, and the neatly-made bed.]
How’s this look to you? Think you want to stay here?
no subject
[ It's a lot of information all at once, and she doesn't get what he means by saying that she can change things to what she likes. She only knows a little of that. She saw these animals once, and liked those. Horses, they were called.
It will take time for her to believe that she is safe there. That anywhere could possibly be safe from the Reavers and Dr. Rice. Her eyes widen as they walk into the room, and Tony keeps a safe distance, not wanting to spoil the moment she's having with Barnes. She nods a little. ]
I would like that.
no subject
[It’ll give him some time to think of how to explain it. On the plus side, Bucky has very personal experience with trying to figure out how to be a normal person after living so many years as an experiment, a weapon, a thing. While he hates that Laura may have had similar experiences, he thinks that maybe being able to relate will help.
He smiles a little when she nods, trying to be reassuring.]
Tony and I are right down the hall, if you feel like you don’t want to be alone. [Not scared; he doesn’t get the impression that she scares easily. Then again the threats in her life seem very real, as real as things that both he and Tony have faced.] Do you have clothes to sleep in, or do you want me to bring you a clean tee to use for tonight?
no subject
Down the hall? [ She looks toward the door. They would be easy to find by scent if she needed to. Laura looks down at herself and tugs a little at her hoodie. ]
I just have this.
no subject
[He doesn't think Tony will mind at all. They've spent plenty of nights curled around each other's nightmares to begrudge it of their newest guest.]
Tell you what, you can take a shower and get all cleaned up, and I'll come bring you a shirt to sleep in. In the morning we'll get you some new clothes that fit a little better. What do you say?
no subject
[ She doesn’t know why she would. She has bad dreams, but she’s never been familiar with the idea of comfort after them. They just happen. She has to cope with that.
She looks towards the bathroom, and nods. Tony mentions there being soap and a towel in there for her to use. She can use the bathrobe to wrap up when she comes out to get dressed. ]
I would like to get clean clothes please.
[ She does not like the smell of them, but she hasn’t been able to do anything about it. She’s also unused to people being so kind to her. ]
no subject
[He's under the impression that she's more of an independent soul, and that out of necessity. Bucky doesn't want to push, but he doesn't want Laura thinking she needs to handle everything on her own. They can help her, if she wants it. He thinks that maybe she does, and maybe she just needs to get used to the idea.]
If you put your dirty clothes in that basket in the corner, I'll come get them and wash them up so they'll be clean for you tomorrow. And then we can get you some other clothes too, so you have more than one outfit.
[He doesn't know if she'll want to keep her clothes once they've been cleaned, or discard them for entirely new things. But at least she'll be set for the night with the bathrobe, oversized as it is, and one of Bucky's shirts to sleep in. He'll move to get it while she's in the shower, leaving it for her on the bed and taking her clothes to be cleaned. He doesn't think she'll need him for the rest of the night — she'd looked tired enough to just curl up and sleep — but she knows how to find him if she does.]
no subject
[ She doesn't know anything else. They were left to their own devices more often than not. There weren't a lot of toys either. Some of her friends had them. Like the rubber bouncing ball. Or the man in the yellow suit with claws. ]
I can do that.
[ She goes and cleans up, sniffing at the nice smelling soaps and other things. It is nice to take time and get all the dirt and grime off of her. She gets out not long after, dries off with the towel, and wraps up in the bathrobe. It's soft and comfortable and makes her smile. After, she pads out into the room, and hops up on the bed to wait for the clothes. ]