(no subject)

[prodigaljaybird]

Jason's barely set Tim's feet in the direction of the Compound before he's off again, flying through the trees with his tail between his legs.  He almost falls more than once, too much anger, too many rattled nerves diverting his thoughts from where they should be, and by the time he reaches Bucky's hut he's carrying another set of cuts and bruises.

He doesn't feel them beneath the sting of the mace, and between the swollen, chemical red painting his features and his own angry flush, they're nearly invisible on his skin when he lands, walks the short distance to Bucky's porch and slumps down.

He hadn't made a conscious decision to come here, but he leans against the support post easily enough, comforted by the fact that while Bucky will probably bark at him or make him run some more, he can't make his face hurt any worse than it already does.  Sanctuary thusly claimed, Jason settles in to lick his wounds, rubbing his aching eyes until a fresh stream of moisture helps to flush the last of the mace away.

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[onlyapassenger]

In the face of Jason's tears, Bucky's expression is a mask, utterly unmoving; there's no judgment, barely a hint of surprise. Instead he just stares, and nods his understanding. He's seen men -- boys, really -- in rougher shape than Jason is here today, but even so, his heart goes out to the kid. Having only the slightest inclination of what he's just given him, though, in speaking what, to him, is a plain and simple truth, he can't help but think there's not much else for him to say, let alone do.

Steve, he thinks, would know. He'd know what to do and what to say, but Steve's not here, and maybe he never will be. When Bucky took on the mantle of Captain America, though, he vowed to do it his own way, and in this, too, he has to strike out on his own, follow his own instincts.

"You're moving in before the end of the month," he says, finally, and he stands. Clapping a hand to Jason's shoulder, he gives it a reassuring squeeze, then pulls back, lets it drop down to his side. With a step towards the door, he makes to leave, intending on giving Jason some space to pull himself together, as much a sign of respect as anything else. "Make your arrangements."