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.

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(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."