( text )

[hyperkinesia]

For those who knew them: Tony Stark, Pepper Potts, Clark Kent, Scott Lang and Foggy Nelson are gone.

[ Bruce doesn't know whether or not to leave it at that. He wants to keep it a brief announcement, almost detached, but in the process he's making it fairly obvious that some of these people leaving has affected him a lot. But then again, that's why he went with text, so he can avoid any slip of his expression or tone of voice that might betray just how upset he is.

He doesn't really want to talk about it. Or maybe he does, but he doesn't know with whom, or how to bring it up. It's not like he's ever been the best at expressing himself.

Best to just leave it at that. Short and... not really sweet, no. ]

That's it.


(( ooc: forward-dated a couple of days just to avoid overlapping recent drop notices! ))

Comments

[notpatsy]

[ Trish is not unused to someone she cares about reacting like that to painful events. Hell, she even used to do it herself.

Doesn't mean she's good at leaving people to their pretending they are fine in peace.

She doesn't ask if he's okay. She knows he isn't. ]

This sucks.

[ God. What if Bruce disappears. What if Jess does. ]

[hyperkinesia]

[ He sighs quietly and sets down whatever he was working on. It's not like he'll finish it right now, nor is he in a rush to.

His hands settle over hers instead, eventually turning around so he's facing her, his arms wrapped loosely around her too. ]

Nothing that we didn't know before.

[ That 'this' as in 'generally everything' sucks here. If it's not people vanishing then it's planets turning against them or parts of the ship going haywire— their lives here are hardly easy or idyllic. There are good things, sure, but still. ]

[notpatsy]

[ That makes her frown a little, and she pulls away from him to slowly wander around the lab, putting some equipment between herself and Bruce. ]

That what you'd say if I went poof too?

[ No, that's not fair of her to ask and she knows it, but she's shaken and scared and not in the mood for pretending like she can just walk it off. ]

[hyperkinesia]

[ He doesn't like that she pulls away, nor does he like that she asks him that question, and it probably shows. He presses his lips thinly and crosses his arms, head tipping down and eyes fixed on the floor. ]

I was trying really hard not to think about that possibility.

[ Which is a feat in and of itself, because as she's well aware, Bruce overthinks everything. ]

[notpatsy]

[ She didn't really like it either, distance isn't exactly a thing she's a fan of when it comes to her and Bruce. ]

So we're just going to act as if this is fine?

[ Friends are gone and they'll just keep working? Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. She never can seem to let other people go there though. It's her own little brand of hypocrisy. ]

[hyperkinesia]

I never said it's fine. It's not fine, but— what else am I supposed to do?

[ Sit around and mope endlessly over the possibility that he'll lose her and everyone here forever? Ground that thought up in his head until it's all but dust? He really doesn't see where she's getting at with this, honestly. ]

[notpatsy]

[ She's just picking a fight because she's frustrated. Jessica would probably have been better for that though, she's not as zen as Bruce. ]

Sorry, I'm just...

[ She wraps her arms around herself with a sigh, turning her back to Bruce to stare at some random piece of equipment. ]

I'm just upset.

[hyperkinesia]

[ He sighs quietly and makes his way over to her. ]

It's fine. I know.

[ His hands settle on her arms, thumbs brushing absentminded circles, then moving up to cup her neck and jaw. ]

I'm... so glad you're still here. I don't know what I'd do otherwise.

[notpatsy]

[ Her hands settle on his sides, fingertips digging into him ever so slightly. ]

Be glad you didn't see me when you were in cryo. I was kind of pathetic.

[ A week attempt at humor as a peace offering. ]

[hyperkinesia]

[ He huffs faintly in amusement, smiling as his thumbs stroke her cheeks. ]

I'm sure you weren't as pathetic as you think.

[ Leaning in, he presses a soft peck to her lips, then wraps his arms around her shoulders, drawing her into a hug. ]

[notpatsy]

[ She returns the hug, giving the side of his neck a quick peck. ]

You're really hard to pick a fight with.

[hyperkinesia]

[ He chuckles softly, pulling away to kiss her temple. ]

Depends on the day. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry, anyway.

[notpatsy]

Maybe not. I'd still love you though.

[ She's pretty sure there's nothing Bruce can do to change that. ]

[hyperkinesia]

You know, I actually don't doubt that.

[ And he still remembers her interaction with the Hulk, which was a pleasant surprise in a lot of ways. He definitely never thought he'd live to see the day someone would kiss the other guy in the cheek. ]

Want to go for something to eat? We can take a stroll afterwards too. I don't really have the mind for work right now anyway.

[notpatsy]

You sure? If you'd rather be alone...

[ She'd get it, even if she did sort of invade for hugs and arguing. ]

[hyperkinesia]

I think I've spent more than enough time alone.

[ And right now he doesn't really want her out of his sight, knowing how easily people can just vanish from one moment to the next. It's foolish to think he could make any difference, but... still. ]