riverview | video | un: iron.man

[The video flicks on to Tony's tired face, though he actually looks pretty good, considering that he's still mildly sick. He grins at the camera, though, the pleased look of someone who's managed something.]

Hey, so. For anyone still caught with this plague thing, I've got a...well, not a fix. A work around, maybe. A focused EMP seems to deactivate the nanities long enough for some of the symptoms to fade, at least for a little while. It doesn't get rid of the things entirely, but it should give you a nice break from feeling like shit.

I'd like to thank my lovely assistants for working with me on this.

[The camera pans across the workroom to focus on the couch, and the two bodies sprawled on it. The eagle-eyed might recognize one (or both) of them as Bucky Barnes, but the way they're both just kind of slumped in a heap makes it kind of hard to tell. It's not that large a couch.

One of them twitches slightly, and there's a snort as Tony turns the camera back on himself.]

That's it for now. I'm still working on a more permanent solution, but magic is really not my thing. Someone else wants to have a crack at that part, be my guest.

[A sudden crash comes from what seems like the vicinity of that couch, and Tony gives the screen a sardonic look before the feed cuts.]

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I'm fine, Steve. I feel better than I did a couple days ago. Not sure if it'll be a permanent fix, but I'm still awake. [He hasn't collapsed yet, that's something, right?]

[For Bucky, the serious concern is still there in Steve's expression.]

If you're sure. You think it's really stopping that virus?

No, just keeping it at bay temporarily. There's a magic component, I don't think anybody's cracked it yet. [His expression grows a little more serious, because he might say he's fine, but he knows he's not. Not for long.

He switches over to a private line after a moment.]

[private]
If they don't figure this thing out, I'm going to fall into a coma like everyone else. I left paperwork on the kitchen table granting you power of attorney over me and my assets, in case I'm out for a while.

[He's not fine. This isn't a solution as much as a stay of disaster and Steve is more impatient knowing that. This is a problem that he can't just punch away.]

Don't talk like that. We'll figure something out.

And what if we don't? Tony's doing everything he can and then some, but none of us are magically-inclined. If the worst happens, I need a contingency plan, because this is all I can do right now. [He scrubs a hand over his face, exhaustion lining his features, prominent in the dark circles under his eyes, the tightness at the corners of his mouth, the rasp of his voice.] All I can do is plan for the worst and let myself be a guinea pig.

[It sounds too much like submitting when he puts it that way. It's less like volunteering to help and more like being out of options, something that just rubs Steve the wrong way no matter what. He especially doesn't like it in relation to Bucky.]

We will. If Tony can't figure out a way to handle the magic element, then we'll find people that can. I know he's trying.

[He is trying. But Steve is restless anyway.]

I told you I'm not going to let anything happen.

[Maybe it is, in a way. He doesn't have any other options. Pushing through it and trying to keep up with work and life is just not possible right now, as sick as he is. At least if he does go into a coma, he'll be able to sleep.

And it hasn't killed anyone yet, right?]

If you know he's trying, then don't get on his case with that judgey face of yours. [He knows you, Steve.]

Just sign the damn papers. It'll give me peace of mind if you're my medical proxy an' not some government case worker.

[Steve frowns at being called out, but it seems to be one of reflection. Sometimes he just really needs someone who knows him to remind him of who he is and what he's doing. He does judge, because Captain America has to decide if he's ever going to take a stand, but that doesn't mean his stand is always untouchable. He's emotionally invested. It's a dual correction, one that makes him show his teeth aa little as he bites down on the thought.]

All right, Bucky. If it means that much to you.

Of course it does. You're my family. If anybody has to make decisions for me, it has to be you. [It's probably not a bad thing, anyway, to file some official paperwork that says they're family to the government of Riverview. If the worst ever did happen...]

But hopefully it won't come to that. This ain't how I want to go out.

[Steve doesn't want to even think of the worst, but he has to admit that with Bucky's history that possibility is there. If something does happen, he wouldn't want anyone else to have control over what happened to his best friend. They are family, and he couldn't stand just waiting around with no input.]

All right. But that's not what's going to happen, Bucky. You're going to be fine.

video | un: iron.man

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