hyperkinesia | ( Savrou ) IC Contact

[ Tony spares a glance for the vast expanse of the universe, but it's a fleeting thing. ]

Yeah, I'll probably get there eventually. Space isn't exactly a favorite at the moment.

[ Understatement. He'd thought willingly subjecting himself to it would help lessen some of the anxiety, and if he's honest, it has a little. But it still leaves a nauseous fear in the bottom of his gut. ]

But it's quieter than the petting zoo in my room.

[ Bruce opens his mouth, closes it again. It crosses his mind to tell him about the time he got stuck out there as the Hulk, floating around frozen in outer space, but it wouldn't really help at all. Instead of offering any kind of connection between their experiences he'd likely just make Tony's anxiety even worse— and besides, he mentioned it in his file, so he figures Tony's read it already. ]

It's always quiet up here, even when most of the ship isn't asleep. [ So it figures Bruce would like it. It's his spot of choice for his meditating sessions, even. ]

It's not so bad here, Tony. It's complicated right now, sure. A lot has happened and there are so many people on board, so things are a little tense, but generally speaking, it could be worse. [ Things could always be worse, granted. But moving on. ] It just takes a while to adapt. But you know you're not alone, right? You've got me. You've got us, even. Doesn't make everything sunshine and roses but it beats being alone.

[ And he knows a thing or ten about that. ]

[ Tony's silent for a long moment. He knows that, on some base level; it's probably why he'd messaged Bruce in the middle of the night despite his wiser inclinations. And the team - it's important to him, they're important to him, even if he's only known them a brief time. It's not Pepper. It's not Rhodey. But it's... something.

He smirks quietly to himself. ]

This seems like a weird bit of turnabout.

[ Last he remembers, he was trying to convince this guy that being part of a team wouldn't be so bad. That he should trust himself more. That he can do good for the world. And he'd met resistance at every turn, at least until the big guy had shown up to prove Tony's point.

And now here they are. ]

Maybe not the sentiment I wanna go for, but still, I think this place suits you.

[ Bruce chuckles quietly and dips his head in a nod, because he knows exactly what Tony's talking about. It's been over a year for him since then, not to mention the months he's been on board the Moira, so he definitely has a different perspective from then. He's changed— for the better, he hopes.

Not that he'd compare a spaceship in an alternate universe to settling down in New York City, but... you know. It's a pretty crazy city so there's that. ]

You know what, I think it suits me too. In some weird way, it just... I don't know.

[ He shrugs, because it's a very strange realization, when he's been through so much crap while on board. ]

[ Bruce seems happy; that's the difference, really. The Bruce Banner he remembers talked about putting a bullet in his mouth as if it were common sense, an inevitability. He'd treaded lightly around everyone, he'd been jumpy, pessimistic. Even his sly humor had been muted, at least compared to their interactions aboard the Moira.

Tony reaches out to give Bruce's shoulder a brief squeeze. ]

I'm glad. Seriously, I mean that.

[ He still has his days. He went through a particularly rough period after C-Primary, but that was... it was a long time ago, actually, what with the year he was away from the ship too. He'd be lying if he said that the thought of ending everything hadn't crossed his mind at one point or another during his stay on the Moira, but now that seems like a distant thought, a memory at the back of his mind. ]

Thanks. [ He smiles a little, not shying away from the touch. Eyebrows raising, he shakes his head and adds, as if he suddenly just remembered something. (Which he kind of did, actually.) ] Right. You should meet my girlfriend sometime. It's, uh, we're... I forgot to mention that. Sorry.

[ Now hang on just one damn minute, ]

Your girlfriend.

[ Bruce probably looks a strange mix of embarrassed and amused at the reaction, translated into a lopsided grin and a tip of his head. ]

You could at least try not to sound so shocked. I'm sure you've heard of a lot weirder things.

[ On the bright side, much of his earlier distress seems to have been sidelined for the sake of giving Bruce shit. ]

No way! This takes the cake. 100%. How could you not tell me? It's been, like, multiple whole days.

—Wait.

[ He leans forward and squints, clearly trying to picture something. ]

How does that even work, with the whole- [ ... GESTURE ]

I forgot! And you had other stuff to deal with, alright?

[ Bruce looks intrigued for about the second it takes Tony to ask him that, then he looks like he could just bury his head in a hole right then and there. ]

I'm not gonna talk to you about that! Don't you think that's kind of... you know, immensely personal?

[ Also WHY WERE YOU TRYING TO PICTURE IT TONY, YOU FUCKING PERVERT. ]

Deliberately cryptic answer.

[ HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM ]

... Kinky.

[ Oh my god Tony just. Just stop. He's going to die of embarrassment. ]

You're an idiot. [ Said almost lovingly. ]

One of my defining features.

[ He sounds so self-satisfied. ]

So when do I get to meet her?

[ Of course he does. It's Tony, Bruce should've expected no less.

He shrugs. pursing his lips a little. ]

Soon? She's always around the department. And we share a room. [ Which is to say that technically they live together. Bruce hesitates for a moment before adding. ] Actually you might know of her already. Ever heard of Trish Walker?

Heard of her? Banner, I live in New York. Of course I've heard of her.

—You're dating Trish Walker?

[ Just going to nod a little at that. ]

That's the one, yes. I'm dating her.

Shut the hell up.

[ HOLDING OUT HIS FIST. ]

Pound it.

[ Staring at Tony like he just grew a second head. He looks like he's about to tell him he's not going to do that, but then...

He knows Tony's just not going to let it go. Ever. He'll sit there with his fist up in the air and probably lift it up again the next time they see each other. So with a purposefully audible groan, he lifts his hand, lazily curled into a fist, and lets his knuckles bump against Tony's with a distinct lack of conviction. That's it, that's all he'll get. ]

[ He smirks, accepting this as the shallow victory that it is, and indulges in one last innuendo before moving on. ]

I said 'pound it', not 'gently massage it', but don't let my expertise override yours, here.

[ Then, somewhat more seriously, ] I'll be on my best behavior, I swear.

Trust me, the latter can do wonders.

[ And that's about all Bruce will say on the matter ever, so take that as you will. ]

I'm not sure that's worth much, considering... [ vague gesturing at Tony ] But thanks. I appreciate that.

[ You just gestured to all of him.

He scoffs in mock offense and pulls himself to his feet, eyes flitting to the observation glass again before falling away. ]

Your faith in me is as heartwarming as ever.

[ He says, tone light, but the nervous fidgeting of his hands gives him away again; he wants to bring up what Steve had told him, now, when they're alone and aren't likely to be interrupted. Wants to find out what Bruce knows. Maybe wants one more confirmation of the truth from a trusted source; not that he doesn't trust Steve, but there would be something else to it, to hear it come from Bruce.

But talk about a moodkiller. ]

I know. You're welcome.

[ Bruce's own voice carries a hint of amusement, but it dies soon after Tony stands up. A year has been more than enough for him to get to know Tony, to learn the little nuances, what certain silences mean. At first it almost passes as avoidance until something clicks and he realizes that there's something else— something more on Tony's mind that he hasn't brought up yet. ]

What's wrong?

[ Said matter-of-factly, because there is something wrong and Bruce couldn't care less that it's a mood killer. He's not letting Tony go on this one. ]

[ Tony pockets his hands and gives him a sideways look. He has to suppress a smile, though the impulse is short-lived; it's nice having somebody so quick on the uptake. It's the kind of intuition he'd expect from Pepper or Rhodey or even JARVIS, but not really anyone else. Saves him a lot of time and energy.

When he does speak up, his words are carefully chosen and measured in a way they usually aren't. ]

Rogers told me about Ultron.

[ He leaves it at that, watching, trying to determine what reaction that earns, if any. ]

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1/2

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1/2 AGAIN IM SORRY

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LMAO IT'S OKAY I love this

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