dear_mun | (no subject)

But?

[Tony is just as cynical. He sees that doubt.]

It's different.

I mean, we're different.

[They don't exactly have years and years and millions of misadventures to get them together.]

[Yeah, but that doesn't necessarily play against them. Tony makes a slight face.]

Sometimes different isn't such a bad thing.

And other times they are.

[Sigh.] Bruce... You can't run away from everyone.

No matter how far you go, eventually you're going to hit a wall.

[Damnit, Tony, don't say that. He knows, alright? He knows, but that doesn't stop him from trying because he has to.]

I can't risk it.

[Can't risk anything. Not when the other guy is there.]

You don't have a choice. Don't you get it? There's always someone.

This is the only option.

Even if I don't have it, I have to make one somehow. That's my choice.

How do you expect to do that? Has avoiding people really solved anything for you?

It's only delaying the inevitable. You can slow it down; put it off. But you can't stop it from happening.

Then what do you want me to do? Give up and die? I've tried that, and it didn't work. I shot myself in the head and the other guy just came out instead.

I know you can't. I know, and that's- that's my point.

You're never going to be able to avoid people. This? This is what you can do.

[He's just--going to deflate now, because he's tired and doesn't like to fight and just tired.]

I don't want other people to suffer for my mistakes.

...Bruce. [Shit. He holds out a hand.]

I'm not- It's not hopeless.

[Sighs and runs a hand through his hair, glancing up at Tony.]

I'm trying to do good. Whatever good I can manage.

[But its so hard when he eventually breaks everything that he touches.]

You're doing fine, Bruce.

[Tony's persistent and steps forward.]

Just let them help.

[Another sigh.]

Do I have any other choice?

[Wryly.]

Technically. [Have a weak smile.]

But I'd rather you didn't resort to that.

It's not like I can even if I wanted to.

[Been there, done that, ripped the T-shirt in the process.]

I just want to help.

[Don't be sad, Bruce. Tony feels bad enough.]

[But how can he be sad when he's always angry--/shot]

And you did. You've done more than enough.

[Baw, Bruce!]

Don't shut down on me. I'm not your enemy, you know.

[YOU SHOT HIM INTO SPACE!! Well not him, but you know. Same diff.

Not that it matters anyway.]

I'm not, trust me. You'll know if I am.

[Space or death, Bruce!! It wasn't like he was trying to kill him. D:]

I'll know if you're out of patience, you mean. Talk to me.

[:( tell that to your version of Bruce.]

What do you want me to say?

[If only. There's no amount of explanation that will help.]

Just... that you understand. [Maybe a bit desperate.]