bruce has a type: spies • PSL POST

[nerdon]

filler until it can be prettied

Comments

[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... ]

[tiptoeing]

[Shhhh it's not Merlin's fault.] I'd like that. I enjoy studying plants. And gardening, too.

[If joke about him having a green thumb he will punch you.]

[bespokes]

[ Funny enough, the thought doesn't even cross his mind. ]

I can't tell if that's sarcasm or sincerity.

[ Gardening was not something he pegged him for.

And with that, Harry makes his way across the manor. Usually, he'd go back and forth to his home but missions, helping Dr. Banner adjust. He'll knock, but he's not sure if Bruce knows he's on the premises. ]

[tiptoeing]

Sincerity. When I was living in Brazil, I researched rare plants for my attempts at producing a cure.

[Bruce wasn't aware, actually, so he's a little startled by the knock on the door. He moves from sitting on his bed to answer, running a hand through his messy curls as he opens the door. There are dark circles under his eyes, and no evidence that his bed has actually been slept in at all. Just his laptop, which has several research papers up on the screen.]

I didn't expect to see you again so soon. Were you here the whole time?

[bespokes]

[ He looked bloody awful, which was a feat considering the man in question. ]

Mission, unfortunately.

[ His hands rest behind his back as he forces a smile. He wants to comment on his appearance but they aren't quite close enough for that yet. ]

We have nothing rarer than roses, but I think you might enjoy it all the same.

[tiptoeing]

Roses are just fine. Though I prefer the peach, yellow, and white ones to the red ones. The scents are more subtle.

[He steps out of his room, letting Harry lead the way. He clearly has no idea where he's going.]

I don't know if you can say anything about your mission, but did it at least go well?

[bespokes]

[ All of this information filed away for later. He's not sure when it will come in handy but one never knows.

Harry notes that Bruce seems utterly lost. Had he left his room at all? This is why they shouldn't have opted for the one with the attached bath. ]

I am alive.

[ He smiles as they walk. The doors are to the end of the hall, so it's not a massive walk. ]

I think that's as good as it gets. Have you been keeping to yourself busy?

[tiptoeing]

[Bruce returns the smile with a small, but genuine one of his own as he opens the door for Harry. Harry isn't the only gentleman there, despite Bruce's other half.]

I'd be a little concerned if you were somehow standing here talking to me and you weren't alive. [Despite his teasing, which probably says something about his life and the kind of friends he keeps that he can even joke about it, there is a tangible sense of relief that Harry came out of whatever situation he'd been in alive.]

And I have, yes. I've been catching up on some research I'd fallen behind in reading. It's easy to get distracted when you're working with someone like Tony; he takes multitasking to a whole new level, even for me.

[and then there was the whole incident with the killer robot, but he's decidedly not talking about that yet]

[bespokes]

[ He looks out the corner of his eye just enough to let Bruce see. ]

We Kingsmen have our ways.

[ The good doctor has a wonderful sense of humour, despite everything.

The killer robot will be well left out of the conversation. Harry holds the door open for Bruce. No, please, after you. ]

May I ask what you have been reading?

[ Advanced science was... not really his thing but that was the definition of manners. The other person came first. ]

[tiptoeing]

[Bruce just rolls his eyes at that.] I wouldn't be surprised if you actually did. SHIELD too, for that matter.

[Not that he knows anything about what happened to Coulson yet. But he really would not be surprised at this point. When Harry opens his side of the door, Bruce just laughs and lets him win that particular battle, heading out into the sunlight. It's a nice day, and he breathes in the fresh air, appreciating it after a few days inside. It's not Fiji, but it will do.]

Just the latest advancements in nuclear physics. I like to stay as current as I can in my fields. [yes, plural]

[bespokes]

Why do you think we really brought you here, Doctor?

[ It is a pleasant day. A bit hot for his liking, but he has been to much hotter. The sun is warm and a breeze keeps them more or less the right temperature. He really should stay in the manor more often. ]

Fields. [ He clarifies in a half question. ] That does explain the lack of sleep.

[ Harry isn't nearly as interested in the flowers as he is his companion. ]

[tiptoeing]

[Bruce raises an eyebrow at that.] I'm starting to wonder.

But no, they're not...none of that is related. I mean, it sort of is, but only in the sense that it helps, not hurts. Gives me something to focus on when I can't sleep.

[Bruce is multitasking, giving Harry and the flowers an equal amount of attention. He does pause to lean over and smell one of the peach roses, pulling back with a relaxed smile.]

[bespokes]

[ Harry smiles wider. He was completely honest with Dr. Banner on their first meeting. Of course, if he wanted, out of boredom, to help them with their science division... ]

Is the insomnia a symptom?

[ Mild curiosity. Bruce had to know far more about his situation than any medical doctor ever could. ]

[tiptoeing]

[Bruce gives him a knowing look in return for that wide smile. He sees your wheels turning, Harry. And he isn't opposed to helping out, though it depends entirely on what the projects actually are. And he will find out, don't even dream of trying to keep him in the dark about anything. See how well that worked out for Fury.]

It's not insomnia. Well...not entirely. It's been a problem since I was young, but now I suppose it's on a much bigger scale, no pun intended. And the context is vastly different.

[He glances up at the sky for a long moment. He's not used to talking about this, even with the other Avengers. It's something they know they all have in common, but they don't talk about it.]

I have frequent nightmares. After I...hulk out, I only remember what happens in fragments. A lot of noise and jumbled images in my mind, and none of it makes much sense. Imagine your brain trying to piece something like that together while you sleep. And when I've lost control, when I know I've hurt people...

[Technically he'd been under the scepter's influence during the Helicarrier incident, and then Wanda's. But he doesn't see it that way.]

[bespokes]

[ The nightmares are something that all Kingsman agents will face. No matter how "bad" the men are you're fighting, there is the lingering thought in your mind that all of those henchmen you gunned down were just people desperately in need of a better life. People who, most of the time, had no idea of the real workings of whatever false company it was. Worst of all, you know fully how violent you can be.

Harry, though. Harry was always fully aware of what he was doing. He was able to at least lie to himself and say These Were The Enemy. These Were Targets.

Bruce did not have that luxury. Anyone who's heart didn't break at that thought was not human.

He reached out to let his hand rest on the shoulder opposite himself. A sort of half hug. This needed extra sympathy. What words could he possibly say to make this better? None were coming to mind. ]

I'm sorry, Doctor.