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[ She remembers that message... well. Most of it? It had been a desperate moment, in the aftermath of the fight against Ultron, when things had been coming down. A questionable victory, but Ultron had been dealt with and they were regrouping, licking their wounds - for there had been many, in that fight. She hadn't been sure she could reach him, or that he would listen, but she'd tried, pleading with him to turn around and come back...
It hadn't worked. And that's the last they'd heard from him in years, even though she'd searched. But Bruce was excellent at vanishing when he wanted to. And this time, she'd suspected, he'd been hiding from her.
To know that it was that same message that finally got through to him all that time later...
She ducks her head for a moment, lips twitching in a ghost of a smile before she leans forward and reaches for his hand, giving it a light tug before shifting to the side on his couch, making more room. ]
Come here.
It hadn't worked. And that's the last they'd heard from him in years, even though she'd searched. But Bruce was excellent at vanishing when he wanted to. And this time, she'd suspected, he'd been hiding from her.
To know that it was that same message that finally got through to him all that time later...
She ducks her head for a moment, lips twitching in a ghost of a smile before she leans forward and reaches for his hand, giving it a light tug before shifting to the side on his couch, making more room. ]
Come here.
[ There's something in that statement that sends cold chills all the way down her spine and she stills for one tell-tale moment before shaking her head in confusion, pressing for more information here. ]
What are... is... the Buried? That's not a term I'm familiar with. Except in the normal sense.
[ She's got a feeling, all of a sudden, this isn't a conversation she wants to be having. ]
What are... is... the Buried? That's not a term I'm familiar with. Except in the normal sense.
[ She's got a feeling, all of a sudden, this isn't a conversation she wants to be having. ]
[ She inclines her head slightly at his answer, absorbing that and rolling with it. It's about what she expected from him. She falls into step with him again as he starts moving. ]
And what are our real goals here, exactly?
[ She didn't miss the fact that you avoided her question there, Steve. Nice evasion, but she's not going to give up on that so easily either. But approach from a different direction. As she works her way back around to it.
In the meantime, there's... all of that. Yeah.
She grimaces a moment, looking off to the side, losing herself a moment in examining their surroundings as she follows him. ]
No. A lot of people didn't. And those of us that did...
[ She trails off, her voice quiet, but there's something in her tone that she knows he'll be able to read, even without her saying the words. ]
And what are our real goals here, exactly?
[ She didn't miss the fact that you avoided her question there, Steve. Nice evasion, but she's not going to give up on that so easily either. But approach from a different direction. As she works her way back around to it.
In the meantime, there's... all of that. Yeah.
She grimaces a moment, looking off to the side, losing herself a moment in examining their surroundings as she follows him. ]
No. A lot of people didn't. And those of us that did...
[ She trails off, her voice quiet, but there's something in her tone that she knows he'll be able to read, even without her saying the words. ]
[He can feel her fear and he bites down on that instinct to push, to drag more of it out of her, to make her spill every secret she has.]
The Buried. It's and- an entity. The manifestation of the fear of Too-close-I-cannot-breathe.
The Buried. It's and- an entity. The manifestation of the fear of Too-close-I-cannot-breathe.
You forgot to leave us a forwarding address, last time you poofed back to space.
[ Her voice is dry as she follows him, slipping into a relaxed pose as she saunters half a step behind him, letting him lead. ]
Besides, I heard you had your hands a little full with your own family drama. You know Tony and Steve butt heads a lot.
[ Even though this had been worse. A lot worse. And then there was everything that had come after... ]
[ Her voice is dry as she follows him, slipping into a relaxed pose as she saunters half a step behind him, letting him lead. ]
Besides, I heard you had your hands a little full with your own family drama. You know Tony and Steve butt heads a lot.
[ Even though this had been worse. A lot worse. And then there was everything that had come after... ]
[ She glances over when he gives that length of time, arching an eyebrow. ]
Six months is quite the length of time. You must be an expert on this place by now then, hmm?
Six months is quite the length of time. You must be an expert on this place by now then, hmm?
[Bruce is genuinely surprised about what the Hulk did. Not that he went into hiding, that is what they are used to and it's an instinct they share. Maybe some part of his other self recognized the pain, guilt, and devastation within him and felt they needed to go farther than usual. Going that far was a genuine mistake, from the video he saw of Hulk lost in space. Waking up to what he did felt like the worst possible outcome, the one that used to keep him up at night, that the Hulk would take over and hurt others. And he did. Bruce doesn't know how many he killed in the ring, but it was substantial.
He doesn't want to be lost in those thoughts, he wants to focus on her. He hesitates only a moment before setting his drink aside and moving down to sit next to her. This is the kind of affection he secretly wanted from her for long before he realized that there were feelings involved. He felt safe with her. Bruce isn't always aware of his own feelings, so it was startling the first time he thought about her as anything other than a friend. He then decided it didn't matter, as she would never return them, and he couldn't do anything about it.
They lost so much time and their chance together, or so he thought, and he still is uncertain. But if she wants to be close to him, that he is happy to provide. He tentatively puts an arm around her, like a shy teenager might in a movie theater.]
Nat, I want you to know .... [Bruce keeps her hand, lacing their fingers together. The moonlacing is strong between them at the moment.] If I did crash land somewhere on Earth, I would have contacted you. I wouldn't have let all of you stay in the dark, even if I didn't come back.
He doesn't want to be lost in those thoughts, he wants to focus on her. He hesitates only a moment before setting his drink aside and moving down to sit next to her. This is the kind of affection he secretly wanted from her for long before he realized that there were feelings involved. He felt safe with her. Bruce isn't always aware of his own feelings, so it was startling the first time he thought about her as anything other than a friend. He then decided it didn't matter, as she would never return them, and he couldn't do anything about it.
They lost so much time and their chance together, or so he thought, and he still is uncertain. But if she wants to be close to him, that he is happy to provide. He tentatively puts an arm around her, like a shy teenager might in a movie theater.]
Nat, I want you to know .... [Bruce keeps her hand, lacing their fingers together. The moonlacing is strong between them at the moment.] If I did crash land somewhere on Earth, I would have contacted you. I wouldn't have let all of you stay in the dark, even if I didn't come back.
[ She lets him apologize, but when he's finished, she squeezes his hand, gives him a warm, understanding look. ]
I know. I know you wouldn't have. I wouldn't have blamed you if that's what you needed to do, though.
[ She glances down at how their hands are locked together, fingers entwined. ]
I would have understood any steps you needed to take to be able to walk away. It gets harder, after a while, doesn't it?
I know. I know you wouldn't have. I wouldn't have blamed you if that's what you needed to do, though.
[ She glances down at how their hands are locked together, fingers entwined. ]
I would have understood any steps you needed to take to be able to walk away. It gets harder, after a while, doesn't it?
[ She has a lot of secrets. She might be a little Too Much for even you.
And she clearly doesn't like the sound of this entity. ]
Well, that sounds.... horrible. A walking claustrophobia monster, huh?
And she clearly doesn't like the sound of this entity. ]
Well, that sounds.... horrible. A walking claustrophobia monster, huh?
It isn't a monster. Although it creates monsters? Has things that serve it. It's not something that can exist inside physical reality so it just... pokes bits in as it can.
So... supernatural coffin. You open it, there are stairs inside which go down for a long way until you're trapped in the dirt, crushed and helpless. Undying. Forever.
So... supernatural coffin. You open it, there are stairs inside which go down for a long way until you're trapped in the dirt, crushed and helpless. Undying. Forever.
[ And here she thought a claustrophobia monster had been bad enough. This? This was infinitely worse.
She makes a face of distaste. ]
Welp, that sounds even worse. Congratulations. That didn't need to be outdone, but here we are. Did someone actually... create that or is that just an unfortunate thing that's always Been There?
She makes a face of distaste. ]
Welp, that sounds even worse. Congratulations. That didn't need to be outdone, but here we are. Did someone actually... create that or is that just an unfortunate thing that's always Been There?
[It was much worse being inside it. Trust him.]
It definitely wasn't pleasant.
I don't think it was really created. Manifested is possibly more accurate.
It definitely wasn't pleasant.
I don't think it was really created. Manifested is possibly more accurate.
If I stayed away, it would mostly have been because I know how much I'd want to come back.
[Bruce was happy for the first time since the Hulk. He had a home and friends and a lab. He felt like he was living again, and wanted to keep on living. For the first few months he was skittish and kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, for them to push him away or get tired of dealing with the danger of his presence, but he eventually got comfortable. And then he lost all of it. He sighs and runs his thumb on the side of her hand.]
I didn't want to bring trouble on all of you. After Johannesburg and Ultron, continued association with the Hulk and I would hurt the Avengers' public image, more so than it already did.
[It is all very rational but stems from a place of deep emotion and fear. He loves his friends and he couldn't see any other way to protect them than to disappear.]
It would have been wrong, you coming with me. [He swallows, looking away.] That wasn't the life you deserved. [On the run, unable to help their friends again. But he was weak and when she offered, he wanted it, selfishly. He made a lot of bad decisions during Ultron.]
[Bruce was happy for the first time since the Hulk. He had a home and friends and a lab. He felt like he was living again, and wanted to keep on living. For the first few months he was skittish and kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, for them to push him away or get tired of dealing with the danger of his presence, but he eventually got comfortable. And then he lost all of it. He sighs and runs his thumb on the side of her hand.]
I didn't want to bring trouble on all of you. After Johannesburg and Ultron, continued association with the Hulk and I would hurt the Avengers' public image, more so than it already did.
[It is all very rational but stems from a place of deep emotion and fear. He loves his friends and he couldn't see any other way to protect them than to disappear.]
It would have been wrong, you coming with me. [He swallows, looking away.] That wasn't the life you deserved. [On the run, unable to help their friends again. But he was weak and when she offered, he wanted it, selfishly. He made a lot of bad decisions during Ultron.]
[ She hums as she thinks over the difference in terminology. ]
Mercenaries would be close, except that their services can be bought - and, following that logic, so could their loyalties - for however temporarily. That wouldn't fly with our group, however. Some of them are a pretty straightforward bunch. As for who we guard... those who need it, those who can't do it themselves. The planet as a whole, mostly. We came together as a group originally to... to tackle the problems no one else could, the dangers most people wouldn't be able to face on their own.
[ At the sound of his wistful tone, she slides her hand out beside her, along the rock ledge she'd found beneath the surface to perch on. ]
There's a length of rock here, just under the water. It's pretty wide and makes for a good bench. I can help you down to perch on it, if you'd like? It keeps the pool from being too deep.
Mercenaries would be close, except that their services can be bought - and, following that logic, so could their loyalties - for however temporarily. That wouldn't fly with our group, however. Some of them are a pretty straightforward bunch. As for who we guard... those who need it, those who can't do it themselves. The planet as a whole, mostly. We came together as a group originally to... to tackle the problems no one else could, the dangers most people wouldn't be able to face on their own.
[ At the sound of his wistful tone, she slides her hand out beside her, along the rock ledge she'd found beneath the surface to perch on. ]
There's a length of rock here, just under the water. It's pretty wide and makes for a good bench. I can help you down to perch on it, if you'd like? It keeps the pool from being too deep.
[ His comments about the Avengers' public image gets a wry laugh from her as she leans back on the couch and stares up at the ceiling, lips twitching in a dry hint of a smirk, although it held no real humor. ]
I think we damaged the Avengers' public image pretty thoroughly on our own. I'm pretty sure your presence wouldn't have actually made things worse at that point. We're a magnet for trouble, Bruce. Every single one of us. At least as a team, we're a little better equipped to tackle those problems when they crop up out of nowhere. [ A pause, before she wrinkles her nose in a wry grimace. ] Well. Most of the time.
[ As for the rest of it... well. they'd all made some bad decisions during Ultron, hadn't they? She wishes those bad decisions had ended there, and not continued on to the struggles that had followed. They'd only made worse decisions then. ]
That wasn't the life you deserved, either.
I think we damaged the Avengers' public image pretty thoroughly on our own. I'm pretty sure your presence wouldn't have actually made things worse at that point. We're a magnet for trouble, Bruce. Every single one of us. At least as a team, we're a little better equipped to tackle those problems when they crop up out of nowhere. [ A pause, before she wrinkles her nose in a wry grimace. ] Well. Most of the time.
[ As for the rest of it... well. they'd all made some bad decisions during Ultron, hadn't they? She wishes those bad decisions had ended there, and not continued on to the struggles that had followed. They'd only made worse decisions then. ]
That wasn't the life you deserved, either.
[ She doesn't think she trusts you at all, actually. But then again, she only met you five minutes ago. Give her another decade or so. She'll get back to you.
At his clarification, she just cocks her head to the side, considering that. ]
That's different from 'created'?
[ She senses there's a nuance here she's missing. ]
At his clarification, she just cocks her head to the side, considering that. ]
That's different from 'created'?
[ She senses there's a nuance here she's missing. ]
[So cruel. Jon is the most trustworthy person. Really. He saved the world Natasha!]
Well, no-one made the coffin. It looks like wood, feels like it. But I don't think someone sat down and made it. It's just a part of the entity, like a limb, pushed into the world.
Well, no-one made the coffin. It looks like wood, feels like it. But I don't think someone sat down and made it. It's just a part of the entity, like a limb, pushed into the world.
[ Just what kind of expert is she talking about, here...
Blushing slightly, he chuckles, a hand moving to the back of his neck to scrub at it. ]
H-heh, somethin' like that! I know where all the best camera shops are, anyway. Does that mean you're new in town?
Blushing slightly, he chuckles, a hand moving to the back of his neck to scrub at it. ]
H-heh, somethin' like that! I know where all the best camera shops are, anyway. Does that mean you're new in town?
The Hulk can always make things worse, Nat. I agree we're all trouble makers, though. I miss all of it, before we created Ultron. [It was this period of time when everything was going well so it couldn't last, but he does long for it.] We're not going to be able to get that back easily, but I'd settle for something similar enough to it. [Meaning all of them at least attempting to get along and being able to be in the same room together. Specifically Tony and Steve. Everyone else is fine with each other, as far as he knows.
He's able to look at her the way he wants when she stares up at the ceiling. He allows himself a moment to simply appreciate her. His visible admiration of her was always done quietly and subtly in the past, and he doesn't want to be accused of staring, but he is being indulgent for this one moment. He snaps himself out of it and shrugs, glancing away.]
Well it sure beat being stuck in the Hulk, but ... you know me. Deserve is not something I feel qualified to estimate for myself.
He's able to look at her the way he wants when she stares up at the ceiling. He allows himself a moment to simply appreciate her. His visible admiration of her was always done quietly and subtly in the past, and he doesn't want to be accused of staring, but he is being indulgent for this one moment. He snaps himself out of it and shrugs, glancing away.]
Well it sure beat being stuck in the Hulk, but ... you know me. Deserve is not something I feel qualified to estimate for myself.
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