under the stars - take two (for Pepper - totherescue)

[greenalterego]

It was a date.

But it wasn't that kind of a date. It was just two people agreeing to meet up at a specific time, for a specific purpose. The first planned get together that Bruce had participated in since the advent of the Hulk. He was still a bit nervous about the idea, to be completely truthful.

As requested, he set up the night time picnic area with blankets and pillows and those 'convenient' folding chairs that actually were harder to unfold than they claimed... and Pepper was going to bring the drinks.

"There, all set. What could possibly go wrong?" Well, talking to himself for starters.

Comments

[totherescue]

Pepper's stricken by just how childlike the Hulk is. Unpredictable and irritable, yes, but childlike just the same. She can't help feeling a tad bit amused by the way he not-so-graciously follows her lead. Before she can catch herself, she's uncurling her legs to stretch them out in front of her and pivoting slightly to face him.

"You know, since we're watching the sky, it may be easier to lie back. Like this..." She reclines until her back is flat against the ground, fingers linked behind her head as she crosses one foot over the other. When she turns to look at him across the way, she smiles and gestures toward the stars with her elbow.

"See? You can take in more of the sky this way, and it's a lot more comfortable."

He probably didn't understand a word she was saying, but after the long evening they've had, she hardly minds any lack of conversation.

[greenalterego]

Hulk watched her with some curiosity, he understood her words, but they weren't important. It was her body language that won him over. There was a ground shaking thump as Hulk dropped on his back, followed by booming barks of noise.

Hulk was laughing.

The sound only lasted for a few moments, then a silence as he closed his eyes. Sleep came easily to Hulk, who had no sense of remorse for the dozens of deaths at his hand that evening. The weight of those souls would be felt by the man who woke in Hulk's place.

[totherescue]

It had taken Pepper a moment to realize the Hulk was laughing rather than huffing and puffing in frustration. But once it became clear to her that he was actually enjoying himself, she actually began to feel bad for him. Pity for the monster who had killed roughly 30 men in less than five minutes - go figure.

Once he'd fallen asleep, she allowed herself to relax, turning her attention back to the stars. It's a shame Bruce had to miss this, and she can't help wondering what she would say whenever he comes to. How would she explain what happened? And more importantly, what were they going to do now that there had been quite a mess left behind? She's too tired to worry about it, and in the midst of trying to process the events of the evening, her exhaustion caught up to her, lulling her into a quiet slumber much like the Hulk's.

Quite, but short-lived. She isn't sure how long she's been asleep, but when she regains awareness of their surroundings, her eyes fly open with a start and a quick glance to her left.

[greenalterego]

There is a man waiting for her, just to her left. He looks like he's been through a car wreck, and maybe that is one way of viewing things.

"Oh, good." Bruce can pretend that her life was just another in a long list, but the relief that sinks out of his frame belies any approach of apathy. The fact that the Hulk hadn't killed her... it was a gift that he hadn't expected. One small thread to cling to.

"I don't suppose?" The others were alive? He hadn't even wanted to ask, already knowing the answer he'd get. The scientist in him refused to leave those questioned unasked however.

(I'm on the go, so this is an email reply - apologies for any errors in formatting as a result!)

[totherescue]

The memory of the last few hours come flooding in the moment she realizes Bruce is back to himself. Sure, he looks worn, and he’s probably going to look and feel a lot worse once she describes how the evening managed to play out, but for now? She’s just grateful he’s alive. So much so that she puts his question and all pretenses aside long enough to practically launch herself at him in relief, arms closing tightly around him as she settles into a firm embrace.

“Don’t ever do that to me again,” she scolds, though her tone is soft and weary. “I can’t even begin to tell you…”

s'all good :D

[greenalterego]

Before tonight, Bruce could count on one hand the number of times he's actually physically touched Pepper Potts. Most of those being polite hand shakes when he first started showing up at Stark Tower to play with Tony's R&D toys.

Suddenly having found himself with armfuls, it hits Bruce just exactly how long it has been since he's held anyone.

"I'm sorry, Pepper, I'm so sorry." He softly repeats into her hair. Distancing himself from her has no longer become an option.

"I won't, I promise." Bruce would say anything to make it right between them. He's afraid that if she stops to think, she's going to run off now and tell Tony, tell everyone exactly why he needs to be kept locked up or put down. If only that were possible. "I couldn't let them hurt you."

But that wasn't fair either. "...it was the only think I could think of."