homeless forever.

[payitgladly]

I don't think you have thought this through very well. It's not good to do things in a rush. I mean, you didn't even make this username for me.

[ Sheepish laughter. ]

Look, I'm not an easy guy to play because [ vague handwave ] you know. There's so much research for you to do that you haven't even started. So it's really better to give up before you start and let me go home.

[ Pause, and he doesn't say: I actually want to see Stark tower. ]

Comments

[payitgladly]

[ Breathe out. When did he stop breathing? Why did he- oh, right. He was afraid she would say 'no'.

He gives her a small, rather blinding smile. ]

I'd like that. [ Pause. ]

How are you?

[cellulared]

[ Why would he think she'd ever say no to him? Silly Bruce. You need confidence to go with this new found control too. ]

I'm doing well. Better now. [ She's seen you. ]

I watched you on the news.

[payitgladly]

[ The control has to come first before the confidence. He doesn't ever have much confidence unless it's his research, but then the Hulk kind of blew that into pieces so he's slowly rebuilding.

He starts at those words. ]

Yeah?

[cellulared]

[ Maybe he can rebuild some of himself outside that 'other guy' with it. ]

I always knew you had it in you. [ To coexist with that 'other guy'. She never saw the Hulk as a monster anyway. ]

I was proud.

I DON'T HAVE ICONS FOR THIS /SHRIEKS

[payitgladly]

[ His head jerks up a little bit too hard at that, and he stares at her, barely breathing. Then he breathes out, trying to control his thundering heartrate- except that he's not angry at all.

Though, he doesn't know what to say. He only looks at her, stunned to silence, and then- (he knows he's being presumptuous) he reaches out and curls his fingers loosely around her wrist. She can break out of his grasp any time she wants. He slowly pulls it towards himself and press a soft, dry kiss at the back of her hand. ]

Thank you. [ His voice is hoarse. ]

OH MY HEEEEEEEEEEEEEART!!

[cellulared]

[ ...

Okay Bruce she's contained herself longer than the first time when she chased him down with her car in the rain and ran to him on the bridge. She can't hold back anymore. She's just going to wrap her arms tight around you and pull you close and threaten to never let go. ]

Don't thank me. Be proud of yourself.

I'M FLAILING HERE HOLY SHIT

[payitgladly]

[ And he's instinctively wrapping his arms around her, holding her close and inhaling the scent of her hair, her skin- everything. It's everything he's wanted for the years that he's kept himself away from her. ]

I'll try. [ For you, he doesn't say, because it's obvious enough.

He'll do anything for her. ]

I HAVE ALL THE FEELINGS ABOUT THESE TWO!!

[cellulared]

[ She leans back a little now, running her fingers over his cheek and through his hair as she just... looks at him. It's been years and every time she sees him she feels like she has to memorize him again before he disappears. ]

I know you can.