[AU] How much - how little - is within our power

[from_the_outside]

 "No," says Sharon, for what feels like the thousandth time. "That's not acceptable."

The rest of the flight had been uneventful, and once they landed she'd been grimly unsurprised to see that Stark had sent Happy Hogan, his erstwhile chauffeur, to guide them to the apartment they've been assigned. Stark himself had apparently gone somewhere to get out of his armor, somewhat mollified by having gotten them here and under his thumb.

Except Sharon won't stop kicking up a fuss.

Hogan stares at her as she inspects each corner of the apartment. "I can't cut these rooms off from the central security protocols," he says, slowly, like he thinks she's just misheard him.

"Well, you can," she tells him. "Or I can force a cascade in a couple load-bearing subroutines that will shut the whole damn thing down. It's your choice."

Comments

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky shakes his head. "You've been honest. That's different, as far as I'm concerned. It's okay." A small, rueful smile quirks the corner of his mouth. "Besides, it makes sense you'd be curious. I'm a stranger in your home, and most of what's known about me isn't good."

He tucks the cinnamon away in his back pocket and considers him. "That's a kind offer."

[marvel_npc]

Vision inclines his head. "I am curious, of course," he says. "It's rare to come across someone about whom reports vary so wildly. But, you know, the world does not quite know what to make of me, either."

Or Wanda, who unknowingly produces an involuntary fear response in most humans.

[nerves_of_ice]

“I don’t mind answering your questions,” Bucky tells him. It’s evident that Vision had picked up on some subtle cue before, so he clarifies, “Even if the answer isn’t an easy one. It’s okay.”

It’s already much, much easier than explaining any of it to Tony Stark, and Vision hadn’t gotten a say-so about having him here, he’s pretty sure.

“Most of the reports I’ve seen about you have been public news. I always figured they didn’t have the whole story.”

[marvel_npc]

"'The whole story,' as you put it, is a bit more complicated than reporters prefer," Vision agrees. "You called yourself a weapon earlier; it will probably not surprise you to hear that my own legal status as a person is somewhat tenuous."

He is a natural citizen of nowhere, born of no parents. Even in the loosest sense of the word, he cannot strictly be said to be human.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Not really, but I'd hoped for better," he says, frankly. "Please tell me Stark's got his lawyers on that for you?"

[marvel_npc]

"Yes," Vision assures him.

"For me and for Wanda as well, though for different reasons."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Good."

His absolute sincerity is very, very clear.

[marvel_npc]

Vision studies him for a moment, then pushes back off the counter, steepling his fingers together in front of his mouth as he sinks for a moment into thought.

"It strikes me as somewhat ironic," he says, "or perhaps simply inconsistent. Wanda's driving motivation to undergo enhancement was a desire to take revenge on Tony for, as she saw it, murdering her parents. The fact that she has come around to understanding and forgiveness suggests Tony eventually will, as well... But it's difficult to gain an accurate assessment from a single case study, especially given wide variations in emotional response."

He sounds sincerely regretful.

[nerves_of_ice]

Several things he'd encountered in intelligence reclaimed from HYDRA or obtained earlier still in the course of missions as the Winter Soldier resolve into a single clear flash of recognition about Wanda Maximoff. Bucky nods.

"You're right about the variation part when it comes to emotion," he says, dryly. "It's also a little more personal for Tony when it comes to what I did, maybe. There's a bit of distance between being the person responsible for the design and manufacture of weapons and being the person who --"

It occurs to him that Tony doesn't have the exact details yet, probably. Steve hasn't viewed the video, as far as he knows. That quickly, he shifts what he was about to say.

"-- who committed the murder with his own hands."

Lack of free will notwithstanding. He still did it.

[marvel_npc]

"Interesting," Vision says, and indeed he looks interested.

"Earlier, you described the Winter Soldier as a weapon. Now, when discussing the murder of Howard and Maria Stark, you call him – this version of yourself, the Winter Soldier – a person. Is that because you wish to take responsibility for the crime? To suggest some sense of agency?"

[nerves_of_ice]

He opens his mouth, then shuts it again for a second while he tries to find the right words.

Finally: "The Winter Soldier's me. I'm a person and a weapon both," he starts, slowly. "When I'm activated as the Winter Soldier, I... follow the orders I'm given. Declining ... isn't an option. That's not how it works."

He meets Vision's glance without evasion.

"But the things the Winter Soldier did? I'm still the one who did them."

[marvel_npc]

"Yes," Vision says, gently. "And a bomb designed by Tony Stark still killed Wanda's parents. If the bomb had feelings, I suppose it would be just as conflicted about its role as you are."

Which is why creating human weapons like the Winter Soldier is never really a very viable option. Eventually the programming breaks down or the mind beneath it does; Vision cannot see a variation of events where the ability of a brainwashed human to improvise and adapt to a situation outweighs the cost of creation and maintenance.

[nerves_of_ice]

He absorbs that for a second. "Admittedly, I don't know Tony very well," he says, after a moment. "But I'm guessing he might not like that comparison."

Bucky considers Vision for another second or two. "You said he was responsible for your initial programming?"

[marvel_npc]

"In a manner of speaking."

Vision lets his hands come back to his sides, standing relaxed. "I am a product of Tony's previous AI, JARVIS, Ultron, and this – "

Reaching up, he taps the glowing yellow stone set into his forehead. "I retain JARVIS's code and programming; its personality, you might say."

[nerves_of_ice]

He makes a slightly skeptical sound. "Seems to me that whatever code your personality was based on, you're your own person now."

[marvel_npc]

Vision smiles, a little.

"I agree," he says. "I am not JARVIS, nor am I Ultron, nor am I this stone. I am more than the sum of my parts. And so, I suspect, are you."

[nerves_of_ice]

His answering smile is a mere flicker, wry and rueful, but it's there - at least for a moment.

"Working on it," he says, simply.

[marvel_npc]

"Considering how many novels, movies, songs, and other pieces of media exist to which that very theme is central," Vision says, "I think that makes it a very human aspiration, wouldn't you agree?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"What, finding one's self?" This time the smile's a little more clear, and a little more warm. "I guess so. Which makes you human too, doesn't it? Maybe a little different than most, but still. Just in case that was ever in question by anyone else."

[marvel_npc]

"Emotionally, perhaps," Vision agrees. "Genetically speaking, my DNA is human. Cognitively, my abilities are far above human potential."

He isn't bragging; that's what happens when you're born with a supercomputer for a brain. "Legally, of course, is another matter entirely."

He doesn't sound terribly distressed by that fact; he knows he's a brand new sort of entity.

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky nods. "Mind a piece of advice? Keep the lawyers on that," he says. "Push hard, until you're secure. Don't let up."

[marvel_npc]

"Thank you," Vision says, utterly sincere. "I certainly will. I appreciate your interest and your concern."

Which is clear, and another factor to take note of. He hesitates, considering, before speaking again. "May I offer some observations in return? As you astutely pointed out, Tony would not care for the comparison I made – but that does not make it any less accurate. JARVIS was Tony's companion for many years, and so I know him well."

Vision tucks his hands behind his back and paces a little, thoughtful. "He is a man with a genius for tormenting himself; that, more than anything, I believe, is why he brought you here, and it is foreshortening his perspective."

He shakes his head. "I do not know what conclusion he will eventually draw, but for all his ego and narcissism, he has a strong and innate sense of fairness, which I believe will weigh heavily on him – if it doesn't already."

[nerves_of_ice]

He nods again, listening carefully. "Zemo intended to use me to destroy the Avengers," he says. He doesn't know how much detail Steve had given everyone, how much there'd been time for, but - it matters. "He figured he could divide Steve and Tony in particular. I'm here because I don't want that to happen. Whatever it takes."

[marvel_npc]

"A noble endeavor," Vision observes. "Especially as it involves a fair amount of personal sacrifice. I think it will help, if you want to know."

The likeliest outcome of prolonged exposure to each other is that Tony will come to think of Bucky Barnes as a person, just as he thinks of Vision and Wanda as people. A person who has been wronged, specifically.

[nerves_of_ice]

"I don't know about the sacrifice, but if it works, that's what's important," Bucky tells him. "And in the meantime I'll try to stay out of everyone's way."