bruce has a type: spies • PSL POST

[nerdon]

filler until it can be prettied

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[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.

[tiptoeing]

[That simple touch is enough. He honestly doesn't even expect it, and looks a little startled when Harry's hand rests on his shoulder. He relaxes after a moment though, even leaning into the half-hug. He needs the comfort more than he wants to admit.]

I'm sorry you all have to put up with it, among other things. I'll admit, I haven't left my room in part because I've been afraid to.

[bespokes]

[ Oh.

That was a surprise.

Then again, can he really pull away? Bruce is incredibly charming as well as obviously in need of some affection. ]

I certainly hope we wouldn't be bad enough hosts to make you turn green.

[tiptoeing]

[Bruce shakes his head, then glances over at him in what he hopes is a reassuring way.] No, everyone's been unexpectedly kind. It's more...my own anxiety, I suppose, about interacting with people right now. Since I can't actually live on a deserted island... [he trails off, shrugging.]

[bespokes]

It's completely understandable. [ A beat, Harry tilts his head. ] But you will be safe here, Doctor. As will we. I'm sure you're aware of at least the category of our work.

[tiptoeing]

[He laughs a little at that.] No one is safe around me when I've lost control, not even very talented spies. Just ask Natasha about the Helicarrier incident.

[He doesn't care so much about his own safety.]

late with starbucks

[bespokes]

At least let us pretend we're immortal, Doctor. It gives us hope.

[ Harry smiles, soft and warm, and doesn't realize he's pulled Bruce a little closer than before. ]

i have starbucks too :3

[tiptoeing]

[That makes him stop. Not the fact that they're so close, because he's not pulling away. It's Harry's words.]

Being immortal is not all it's cracked up to be.

[It's spoken as a mumble, but even then the words are weighted.]

[bespokes]

Said the immortal.

[ Harry actually wasn't sure about that one. He would imagine that Bruce would be incredibly hard to kill. That look in his eyes told him he might have tried. Or would want to. ]

There's plenty more garden to see, Doctor.

[ He smiles, cool as ever. Bruce could direct the conversation or their walking. He could also choose to pull away. Harry didn't mind being someone's strength. Even if they were mostly a stranger. ]

[tiptoeing]

[He doesn't choose to pull away, though he does, after a moment, continue walking. He matches his steps to Harry's, as opposed to leading him anywhere.]

As far as I know, yes. Age might do it eventually, but that's a difficult thing to test.

[bespokes]

[ Now Harry has definitely noticed Bruce not pulling away. It was hardly uncomfortable for Harry, if a bit surprising. Can't say he could really complain about eye candy at his arm. ]

Let's hope it's not the opposite.

[tiptoeing]

[Bruce is a little surprised himself; mostly because Harry hasn't pulled away yet. He smiles a bit, shaking his head.] Somehow I doubt it will be, particularly given how the grey hairs on my head are increasing exponentially. Though whether or not the Other Guy will outlive me is another question entirely.

[He pauses, though it's only in thought and not in walking.] Am I allowed to know your real name if we're going to be spending so much time together? Not that Galahad isn't a fitting code name.

[bespokes]

[ He suspects there isn't too much known about this. The good doctor was certainly the only of his kind.

Very flirtatious when he wants to be... Harry tries to hide his smile. ]

Harry Hart. Although, you are more than welcome to compliment me all you like.

[ Target locked, as they say. ]

[tiptoeing]

[There is a faint hint of pink across Bruce's cheeks, and he laughs a little.]

I'll keep that in mind. Isn't "hart" the word used for the red deer stag in medieval times?

[bespokes]

[ Harry pulls away just enough to give him a confused but very amused look. ]

Yes... Yes it was.

[ His hand rests in between his shoulder blades. ]

How did you know that?

[tiptoeing]

[Bruce simply shrugs in response.] I just happened to come across the term in my research of herbal medicine. ... Often what I wind up researching encompasses much more than what I'd initially intended to study.

[bespokes]

[ Now this was certainly intriguing. Harry gives another sweeping look. ]

Remind me to bring you around for the next pub quiz.

[tiptoeing]

[He laughs at Harry's response.] I wouldn't say no, though I'd be terrible at pop culture questions. Even before I went on the run, I wasn't exactly an expert on that kind of thing.

[he's pure academic nerd, ok]

[bespokes]

Between the two of us we might be able to guess.

[ Recruits were good for something until they grew in their winter coat.

They come to a bench shaded by a hedge. Only then does Harry remove his hand to offer Bruce a seat. ]

Why don't you tell me more about yourself, Doctor.

[tiptoeing]

[Bruce nods and takes a seat, gesturing for Harry to sit beside him. Sitting is nice, given how tired he is.]

What do you want to know? I don't even know what there is about me in your files, or what SHIELD has shared with you.