[ 005 ] ✪ [ Accidental Audio ]

[latenightfondue]

Make sure you don’t drop it this time.

[ Bucky’s voice rings clear through the network post, a little out of breath. There are two sets of feet hitting the concrete, the background sound of carnage filling up the quiet. ] How is it I’m always running into you, anyhow?

[ Howard waggles the device pointedly, which makes the audio distorted for a second, the air filtering through the microphone. ] It ain't like I intentionally threw the damn thing, it just kinda slipped. Y'know how I feel about this baby. Good thing she ain’t scratched.

[ But the truth is he's distracted, fascinated at the things that keep popping up around corners and threatening to exterminate them, the wonder there in his voice. ] Now I remember why these things seem familiar, that Amy broad told me about the big pepper potts. And it’s ‘cause you like me, Bucky Boy, we both know it. Ain’t no use pretending. Y’just can’t keep away, can you?

Oh, bite me, Steve’d be pissed if I left you to die, you know that. [ He sounds - genuinely worried - his footsteps slowing slightly. ] Didn’t you see what her Doc said about ‘em this morning? They’re a bad idea and we need to get out of here, so just stick close and keep quiet, okay? No crazy science face until we find a safe place.

[ There’s nothing but the sound of breathing for a moment, the audio not really giving a clear clue of what’s going on bar the fact that they’re both still there. It goes on for a moment, for two, then. ] I think we’ve got the all-clear, let’s just -- holy shit. Howard, get --

[ There’s a thump, like someone being thrown to the ground, gunshots ricocheting off metal, then the high, scratching sound of the creature’s voice, Exterminate. The scream, if it can be called that, clearly comes from Bucky. Someone falls. ]

B--? [ As clear as the feed was moments ago, now everything sounds muffled, and urgent footfalls carry for a moment until they abruptly stop, the sound of something solid hitting what is distinctly a wheelie bin and then sliding down the plastic picks up. There’s sheer panic in Howard’s breathless voice, quiet, and the clear tone of concern. ] Jesus, Barney, Steve’s gonna kill me if I don’t get you back in one piece.

[ Nothing but heavy breathing can be heard for a minute or two, and then the sound of a Dalek sliding up somewhere close makes it stop altogether, the zeet-zeet as it turns its metal head before continuing on its way. Desperate gasps for air sound out, and the footsteps return, more freely this time, and the sound of something being dragged across the ground. ] Damn it, what the hell were you doing saving me? Y’better start breathing, jackass, or I’m gonna kill you myself. [ The dragging noises stop, and then there’s urgent shuffling sounds, but the device drops from a pocket with a clatter and cuts off. ]

Comments

audio:

[charring]

[Guess who heard that, Howard. And her voice sounds so small when she speaks.] No. No!

audio:

[latenightfondue]

[ There's a long pause even after he puts on the feed. ]

Sorry, Lena, there ain't nothing I can do. The idiot ran-- [ Voice cracking with emotion he shouldn't show, he cuts himself off. ]

audio:

[charring]

[Those aren't the sounds of a door opening and closing. What are you talking about? Charlie's most definitely not leaving the safety of Ed's apartment to find anyone. not that she will. she'll end up trapped somewhere.]

He'll be back. People always come back. It just shouldn't have happened to begin with.

audio:

[latenightfondue]

If I'd'a known what'd happen...

[ It's defensive, the guilt already setting in, but then. ]

Lena, y'ain't out in the streets, are you?

voice;

[conesoldstober]

Howard?

[Slightly familiar Welsh accent on the line, without the usual whine to it.]

What's going on?

voice;

[latenightfondue]

It's Bucky, pal...

[ He sounds more distant than usual, but at the same time softer, toned down. ]

...Idiot fancied himself a hero.

voice;

[conesoldstober]

Do you need any help?

voice;

[latenightfondue]

I got this one covered. No one else needs putting in danger.

[ 1 / 2 ]

[waitedforyears]

That Amy broad— really?

[ But then, more seriously: ] Be careful, okay. They might look like pepper potts but they're dangerous.

[waitedforyears]

What the— Bucky? Hell, Jaime, no.

[latenightfondue]

It's a compliment, sweetheart.

[ But he sounds flat, heart not in it, and he vaguely remembers that the two of them were friends. ]

Sorry, Pond, there ain't-- Didn't have much chance to-- [ He gives up, sounding broken. He already lost Steve, and now this. ]

[waitedforyears]

Why does everyone always keep dying. [ She sounds more pissed off than anything. It's a defense mechanism. Anger is so much easier to deal with than pain, and she's got things to do, people to save— and why didn't she or the Doctor save Bucky, why did he have to— no, not thinking about that. ]

[threeolives]

[ Pepper was scrolling through the network when she thought she heard her name. She was about to respond when the sounds from the feed froze her words in her throat. ]

Bucky!?

[ It's as much of a scream as she'll allow herself, trying to stay hidden in her office supply closet, and it comes out as a frantic whisper as her voice nearly breaks. ]

[latenightfondue]

Pepper? That you?

[ Everything is a bit of a blur, ignore him. ]

Y'ain't hurt, right?

[threeolives]

It's me, and I'm okay. I'm at the office, on my way to Tony's workshop. I don't think they're in the building yet.

Is Bucky...?

[latenightfondue]

Tony's good, too, right?

[ He doesn't care. Honest. ]

He ain't-- He didn't make it.

audio;

[ironmanic]

[God damn it- Barnes. Dad.]

And just where the hell are you?

audio;

[latenightfondue]

[ He's oddly relieved to hear your voice, Tony. ]

Some back alley near City Solutions.

audio;

[ironmanic]

I've got a read on your coordinates. Just- stay there. I'll bring you in. The both of you.

[A whir as he suits up and gets ready to head out. Like hell he's losing his father-- again.]

[punchedhitler]

[This is-

Well there are really no words for was Steve Rogers is feeling, so he's actually gonna-

Yes he's gonna-]

Damn it!

[Swear.]

Howard!

[latenightfondue]

[ Oh god, Steve, no, any other time he'd be happy to speak to you, but not right now. ]

It weren't my fault, Cap. [ Except the part where it totally was. ] He ain't moving, and I-- The pepper potts.

[punchedhitler]

Where are you?

audio;

[intheblanks]

[A quick check in: there's too much to follow on the network today, the hospital's already frantic.]

Is he helpable?

audio;

[latenightfondue]

[ Staring down at the body, voice breaking a little. ]

Nah, guy's dead, he ain't gonna - nothing's gonna help him.

audio;

[intheblanks]

I'm sorry.

[It's efficient, but honest enough.]

If you can, get him to somewhere he'll won't be too disorientated waking up. Friends, family. We have rooms at the hospital if there's no where else.