Bucky lets Matt out of the chains. And, eventually, he lets Matt out of the cell. It's not a fast process, nor an easy one, but the humans in this compound are wary - understandably so, of course, given the world outside. But Bucky knows that you have to give trust to get trust - he's learned that, and while it doesn't mean he gives that trust easily or quickly, he will give it when it's earned. And slowly, tentatively, over time, Matt earns it. Matt proves that he's not just another blood-hungry animal. It's why Bucky had wanted him in the first place - he'd already shown that, really, but now he's proved it, to Bucky and to the rest of the people in his resistance cell. They're wary, but hopeful. And things seem to be going all right.
Matt's made a few trips back to the city, since then. He always comes back, but every time, Bucky feels something in his gut unclench, when the lawyer returns as promised. Just because he's earned Bucky's trust doesn't mean that anyone else out there has, and it's dangerous not just for humans, but for vampires who might be sympathetic to those humans, too. And it's not exactly a secret, that Matt and his partner are sympathetic. So Bucky maybe worries more than he has to, every time Matt leaves, but he's learned, too, that you can really never worry too much. Worrying keeps you sharp. And in this world, staying sharp can save you.
Matt's due back in today, after another short trip into the city. Bucky's hoping this time he'll come back with news of progress - real progress, however small - toward their goal. He knows the vampires don't want things to change. That they'll have to be dragged, kicking and screaming, into it. But he also knows that change starts small, builds slowly, and he's willing to wait. Mostly. He'd still like to see some signs of progress, sooner rather than later. And he'd like to see Matt's face returning, too. The guy isn't so bad - he's funny, and sincere, and sharp - just Bucky's type. He's had friends like this guy. He's lost friends like this guy. And maybe, slowly, Matt is becoming one of those friends.
Maybe that, too, is why Bucky's the one standing sentry duty at the compound's gate, waiting for Matt to return from this little trip home.
Timeskip ahoy!
Matt's made a few trips back to the city, since then. He always comes back, but every time, Bucky feels something in his gut unclench, when the lawyer returns as promised. Just because he's earned Bucky's trust doesn't mean that anyone else out there has, and it's dangerous not just for humans, but for vampires who might be sympathetic to those humans, too. And it's not exactly a secret, that Matt and his partner are sympathetic. So Bucky maybe worries more than he has to, every time Matt leaves, but he's learned, too, that you can really never worry too much. Worrying keeps you sharp. And in this world, staying sharp can save you.
Matt's due back in today, after another short trip into the city. Bucky's hoping this time he'll come back with news of progress - real progress, however small - toward their goal. He knows the vampires don't want things to change. That they'll have to be dragged, kicking and screaming, into it. But he also knows that change starts small, builds slowly, and he's willing to wait. Mostly. He'd still like to see some signs of progress, sooner rather than later. And he'd like to see Matt's face returning, too. The guy isn't so bad - he's funny, and sincere, and sharp - just Bucky's type. He's had friends like this guy. He's lost friends like this guy. And maybe, slowly, Matt is becoming one of those friends.
Maybe that, too, is why Bucky's the one standing sentry duty at the compound's gate, waiting for Matt to return from this little trip home.