bruce has a type: spies • PSL POST

[nerdon]

filler until it can be prettied

Comments

get outside bruce

[bespokes]

Good afternoon, Doctor. I hope you're finding it comfortable.

don't wanna

[tiptoeing]

It's sufficient enough, thanks. How have you been?

[Bruce is more than content with what little he has, and mostly keeps to himself unless he remembers that he needs to eat something. He doesn't sleep, a mixture of habit and fear of revisiting recent events. Events that play out over and over again in his mind even when he's awake.

"Comfortable" isn't really the word he would use to describe his situation, but it's not related to his room.]

[bespokes]

Is Merlin's lead too tight?

[ Probably not. Merlin could be incredibly paranoid but there was more than enough evidence that Bruce could control himself. ]

[tiptoeing]

No, it's fine. We haven't interacted much, though he stops by to check in sometimes.

[And to ask if he wanted to explore the lab, but he politely declined. Not that he wasn't interested; quite the opposite. It was the idea of interacting with the other scientists that had him more than a little wary. Particularly if they knew who he was, and what he had done.]

[bespokes]

[ That is very unlike Merlin, considering. ]

Excellent. How are you finding the town?

[ Surely he's actually gone out. ]

[tiptoeing]

[There's a long pause before he responds.] I don't know, I haven't gotten around to exploring it yet.

[nope]

[bespokes]

[ ... This is getting very suspicious. ]

I see. And the grounds? Or the manor library?

[tiptoeing]

I haven't left my room much, to be honest.

[No point in trying to hide it anymore when he's obviously catching on. Damn spies.]

[bespokes]

Are you not feeling well? We can arrange for a very discreet medical doctor.

[ He can't help it he's clever. ]

[tiptoeing]

[shut up, Harry] No, it's not that. I just...haven't wanted to.

[It's slightly more complicated than that, but he doesn't know how to express it via text.]

[bespokes]

I assure you, Doctor, that you will have as much privacy as can be spared.

[ Which meant you would be monitored. ]

Would you like some company?

[tiptoeing]

I wouldn't mind a visit from you.

[It's a very specifically directed reply. From you. And he honestly can't even put his finger on why the idea doesn't scare him as much. Maybe it has something to do with Galahad's naturally calm demeanor.]

[bespokes]

[ From him. He might be holding that over Merlin's head. ]

A walk through the garden?

[ A nice and calm activity. Considering they weren't training any recruits... ]

asking out cap

[bugleboy]

[ Steve has decided he really likes working with Kingsman. They've all got this old school politeness to them he can relate to a lot more. Their digs are always nicer too. More comfortable beds, better food. Part of him will never get used to those things. Soldier.

But, part of him knows when to appreciate it. It helps that it feels somehow more.. homey here. Less like an office and more lived in. Stiff and like it's set up for a photoshoot but better than most.

It's a rare moment of downtime and Steve's taken advantage of the drawing room. Supplies were on display probably for comedy's sake. He's decided to draw the most interesting thing in the room: Merlin. Reading his clipboard... tablet... something. And drinking tea. ]

[yesbrogue]

[Merlin is glad Steve seems to enjoy working with them, because the feeling is mutual. Merlin knowys that it probably has something to do with their old school habits, and probably also the sharp increase in transparency that has come about since Galahad took over as Arthur. At least, among their own members. No part of a mission was hidden from anyone else, and it was part of Merlin's job now to enforce that.

He's currently reviewing the scores of his latest group of recruits, and making detailed notes for their next training session. He's also well aware of the eyes on him. The quietness of Steve's level of concentration. Eventually, after giving him what he suspects to be enough time to complete his sketch, he finally glances up with a knowing smile.]

Finished yet? Can I see it?

[bugleboy]

[ ... Steve couldn't say he'd been expecting that one. At all. ]

Shit.

[ And he definitely didn't mean to say that. He was just so embarrassed and, well, surprised. Merlin showed absolutely no sign of being spotted. ]

Sorry. You can but. It's just a sketch.

[yesbrogue]

[mildly]

Language.

[Okay his tone suggests he might have heard about that in-joke, but how could he resist.]

I'm sure it's wonderful, regardless. [He stands, cup of tea still in hand, and looms peers over Steve's shoulder. He's quiet for a long moment, very much in awe of what he's managed to capture in just a simple sketch.]

[bugleboy]

[ He's never gonna live that down.

Steve's only shy about his work when they're... private things. Sketches that help him get through tough times. Things that are unfinished. This was meant as a present from the beginning. ]

I haven't drawn in a long time. It needs some work.

[ Let him fix this little part right here. That's better. ]

[yesbrogue]

[Never ever.

Merlin smiles though, when Steve says it needs some work.]

I'm rather fond of the imperfections; it looks more natural that way. ...Can I have it? I'd like to put it in my office.

[bugleboy]

Really?

[ He's gotten compliments on his art. Hell, he used to get jobs by it. It's been a while since he's gotten that strong of a reaction. ]

Sure.

[ As soon as he tears it out. ]

[yesbrogue]

Really. It's...well, it's spectacular, and no one's ever drawn me before.

[He'll hold it gently when Steve removes it, taking it straight to his office before coming back and taking a seat near him.]

Interested in helping me out this afternoon? I could use your input on some new training exercises.

[bugleboy]

[ Steve has been complimented on his art before. Heck, he used to make a living out of it. He had to be good at it. He's even had a few people here and there be really touched by his gifts.

... So why does this one feel different? Special.

He pushes it to the side when Merlin comes back. ]

Sure. Unless you want a few more portraits instead.

[yesbrogue]

[Merlin gives Steve a small smile at that offer.] Maybe later. For now, though, there's work to be done.

[He hands his tablet over to Steve, bringing up a few ideas he has for routines.] I'm changing up the sparring exercises a little, and adding an obstacle course. Not your typical obstacle course, mind you; a Kingsman has to be prepared for anything.

[Like floors that fall out from under you, hidden opponents, etc.]

[bugleboy]

[ Steve's gotten much better with handling technology than he used to be. The tablet was a pretty easy piece of equipment to wrap his mind around. Really, from what he was told, he woke up in the best time for "user friendly" technology. He would have had to study a lot longer to get it right in the 80s.

That aside, this course looked intense. But doable. He zoomed in on one spot. ]

Really obvious weakness to avoid all of them here. Was that on purpose?

[yesbrogue]

[Merlin doesn't even comment on Steve using the technology so well. He knows Steve is more than his time period of origin or his muscles, and it would be insulting to assume otherwise. He does smirk a little when he points out that weakness, though.]

It absolutely was. I enjoy luring them into a false sense of security.

You'll find out what I mean.