Tweak

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Tweak says, "It was a wardrobe malfuction!!"

. (spacecowboys) wrote in doors,
@ 2014-03-15 14:49:00

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Gotham, in person: Selina K/Bruce B
[Shortly after this.]

[She had the door propped open to one of the Kyle Foundation labs. The place specialized in medical research, and she figured it would make the good doctor feel right at home. To her, the lab looked spotless, white and metal and the perpetual smell of antiseptic. Outside the windows, the sky was clear and blue and untouched by pollution.

In reality, the lab was a filthy drug warehouse, and some old medical equipment mouldered in the corners from the days when it was still a lab. The windows were grimy, and the air outside was smog and dull sunlight. She was sitting in a broken-down chair in the shadows, staring at that stupid lamp that Eddie had made her look at.]

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isalwaysangry
2014-03-16 03:24 pm UTC (link)

[Bruce was used to labs hastily made in secret locations. That's how he lived for a long time back home, having no place of his own, never in one place for long. The toxin would have never worked on him, his blood was toxic already so nothing else could work for long. He glanced around the warehouse when he walked in, having brought his own small bag of medical instruments in case they needed it.]

Selina?

[It was in his nature to be suspicious of dark places, and it had nothing to do with fear of other people attacking him. It was the concern of what would happen afterward. The last thing this door needed was a loosed Hulk.]

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Gotham, in person: Selina K/Bruce B

spacecowboys
2014-03-16 03:34 pm UTC (link)

[She looked up, even as a man wandered through the space. She thought the man was a lab technician, dressed in white as he was and holding a vial of something. In truth, the man was dreads and pants low around his boxers. He was Gotham scum, a packed bag of coke in his hand. The man gave Bruce a dismissive look and then, with a hitch of his pants, he kept walking.]

Doctor Banner, I presume?

[Selina left the shadows. Her skin was fever-red, and the dark circles beneath her eyes indicated that she hadn't been resting. In fact, there was Gotham roof-dirt beneath her fingernails, and her cheeks were smudged. She'd lost weight since the surgery, and her movements were slow as she approached, the slowness having nothing to do with feline grace this once.]

I do love a good escort. Unless you want to take a look at me here, so you can go back to Tony with a report? I figured a lab was a good place to meet.

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Re: Gotham, in person: Selina K/Bruce B

isalwaysangry
2014-03-16 03:58 pm UTC (link)

[Bruce simply gave the man a look back and deemed him not a threat, so he let him go on his way. This probably wasn't the safest place for Selina, but he wasn't sure yet if she was going to come back through the door with him.

When she stepped forward his worry kicked in, notched up to ten. She did not look well, and he was certain now they did the wrong thing letting her go back so quickly. He looked the same as usual. Ordinary, unobtrusive, and melancholic.]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but you look terrible. [He smiled to soften what he said.] Do you want to be escorted back to my door? Because that's an option if you'd feel safer. [He wasn't sure this door was safe at the moment. Something felt off.]

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Re: Gotham, in person: Selina K/Bruce B

spacecowboys
2014-03-16 04:04 pm UTC (link)

Aren't you just the charmer?

[She slid up onto the nearest table, shiny silver in her estimation, not covered in residual powder.] I'm supposed to meet the girls after this little visit, doc, so how about you give me a quick once over here instead?

[And said examination, should he agree, would reveal very, very infected stitches. Oops. A nicely high fever of 103.2. And quite a bit of dehydration.]

How's Tony? He sounded stressed. Is he stressed? Hmm?

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Re: Gotham, in person: Selina K/Bruce B

isalwaysangry
2014-03-16 04:21 pm UTC (link)

No one's ever accused me of that, no.

[Bruce approached her on the table and got out the necessary tools, although it was easy to spot the problems right off the bat. He never got into people's personal space unless it was in this case, having spent most of the past few years avoiding people.]

I'm less concerned with Tony and more concerned with you. [Small talk also wasn't a skill of his.] The stitches I did for you are infected. I don't know if it's internal or external, I'd need to do a culture to see what kind of bacteria it is. [He pulled out a light and shone it carefully in her eyes.] Selina, this could be very dangerous, did you follow my instructions?

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Re: Gotham, in person: Selina K/Bruce B

spacecowboys
2014-03-16 04:29 pm UTC (link)

[Grin, and a very deliberate slide of her foot along his shin when he came close enough.] Well, it's a good thing for you I have a thing for the strong silent type.

[A chuckle.] See, now that was charming. Though I'm prettier than Tony. I think. Tell me, Bruce, am I prettier than Tony? [And finally, a sigh, and a more honest tone.] I don't actually remember any surgery. Tony says it happened, but I don't actually remember. Things are a little mixed up here right now. I don't have all the details because Bruce - my Bruce. Well, actually, my ex Bruce, won't share them with me. But it means that no, I probably didn't follow your instructions, because I wasn't aware that there were instructions.

[After a moment of looking away from that bright, bright light.] Do your little culture and get back to me. If I'm dying, I want to do it while stealing something, or while driving something fast, or while soaking in a bathtub full of Cristal. I don't want to die in Tony Stark's lab. [And that just made her shudder.]

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Re: Gotham, in person: Selina K/Bruce B

isalwaysangry
2014-03-16 04:42 pm UTC (link)

[Bruce was genuinely surprised at the foot on his shin, getting a distinct deer in the headlights look for a moment. His composure was regained afterward.] I think we should focus.

[He waited out the flirtatious comments since he didn't know what to say to them, and only engaged back when the honest tone set in.] You don't remember it happening. [That got the gears in his head whirling.] Memory loss was a potential side effect considering where the surgery was, but this seems different. Infection could cause the brain to swell and you to feel delirious. There's something missing. [Mostly he was talking out loud to himself instead of to her. Amazing people person right here.]

You're not going to die, although if you were to die in a lab, Tony's would be better than here. Your infection probably got worse being in a place like this. You need a sterile environment. [Because for him, he saw things as they were. Bruce rubbed a hand against his chin thoughtfully.] You need antibiotics most likely, do you have any allergies?

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Re: Gotham, in person: Selina K/Bruce B

spacecowboys
2014-03-16 04:53 pm UTC (link)

[She chuckled, and she dragged a fingernail beneath his chin when he said that they should focus.] Yes, sir. [Another chuckle, because tormenting "deer in headlights" scientists was entertaining. She leaned in close, breath fevered near his cheek.] Anything you say, Mr. Banner.

[She listened to his little concerns, and she didn't interrupt until he came back to the subject of dying in Tony's lab. Firmly.] NO. [Pause. Softer.] No. I'm not interested in dying in Tony's lab. [Though she had no idea why that was such a problem for her. But the kitty cat always trusted her gut.]

What's wrong with this place? [She looked around.] It's a science lab. [She dragged her fingers along the dirty table she was sitting on, and she held them in front of his face. Her fingertips were covered with powder and old dust.] See? Perfectly sterile. Not a drop of dust. And, no, I'm not allergic to anything, doc.

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Re: Gotham, in person: Selina K/Bruce B

isalwaysangry
2014-03-16 05:09 pm UTC (link)

[Bruce was skittish to say the least, and if he wasn't examining her, he would've put more space between them. Instead he just shot her a weary look.] I'd say you could call me Bruce, but you already know one of those.

[He shook his head and his tone gentled.] You're not going to die. It's an infection. They happen when stitches aren't cleaned properly. You survived a bomb in your head, you're tough. [He figured that was just the tip of the iceberg about what she was used to.]

What? [Now that caught his attention. He frowned and reached out to touch her fingertips, the powder moving to him instead.] Selina. What do you see when you look around here? [Bruce was starting to think he should trust his gut more than his head more often.]

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Re: Gotham, in person: Selina K/Bruce B

spacecowboys
2014-03-16 05:25 pm UTC (link)

True. Do you have a middle name? Banner feels so impersonal. [And then, curiously, after that weary look.] Do I scare you, doc? I promise, I don't bite.

[She laughed when he said she was tough, when he said she'd survived a bomb.] No, see, as far as I remember I'm not tough. I grew up with loving parents, and I went to college, and I met a man in a suit. We fell in love, and we're both wealthy, and the city we protect is almost crime-free. That's not tough. But everyone says it isn't real, so... [Looking away. Blink.] Well, no matter. My relationship's done, and if this isn't real, I might as well have some fun, don't you think? [Purr.] Or aren't you big on fun, doc?

[Sigh.] You sound like Edward. [But she did look around, just to humor him. And, maybe, to validate herself.] I see a lab. The walls are white, and the tables are metal. There are little cabinets that are squeaky clean and locked. There are microscopes and machines I don't understand. A lab tech walked by as you arrived. [She gave him a look that almost pleaded for him to agree.] Is that enough?

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Re: Gotham, in person: Selina K/Bruce B

isalwaysangry
2014-03-16 06:01 pm UTC (link)

[After a long pause.] Robert is technically my first name. [Very few people know that.] Banner's fine. [Not even sure why he said it.] You don't, I'm not very good with people, sorry.

[Now things were starting to become clear. Confusing, but clear.] I don't know enough of your past to say whether that's true or not, but it doesn't sync up with my initial impression of you. [He crossed arms across his chest, studying her.] If it isn't real, that doesn't stop it from feeing real to you. [He chuckled.] Oh I'm the life of the party, can't you tell?

[He followed her gaze around.] I think ... I think you should reconsider leaving here. There's something here that's influencing your mind and perception.

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Re: Gotham, in person: Selina K/Bruce B

spacecowboys
2014-03-16 06:33 pm UTC (link)

Robert. [Grin.] Robert. It suits you. [And a smile that borders on actually being kind.] That's alright. Like I said, I have a soft spot for men who aren't very good with people.

[Curiously.] What was your first impression of me? What was my first impression of you? And is Tony as charming as he claims to be, because I don't actually remember that either. [She dragged a finger over his forearm as he studied her, but that finger stilled at his little comment about things feeling real.] Funny thing, that, and no one gets it but you. Or maybe no one expects me to have feelings that can get hurt in the first place. I wouldn't know. I don't suppose you know?

I don't run. I'm not a runner. [She followed his gaze.] But I'll let you tell me what you see. How's that for compromise?

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Re: Gotham, in person: Selina K/Bruce B

isalwaysangry
2014-03-16 07:07 pm UTC (link)

I haven't been called that since childhood. Just don't go with Bobby. [Bruce couldn't resist sincerely smiling back. She had a way about her.] I appreciate that.

[He hesitated before answering.] My impression was you came from a bad background and you learned to be hard early on. You didn't trust easy, but you wanted to. People just have a way of letting you down. [Bruce cleared his throat and pulled his glasses from his pocket, putting them on. Almost a new line of defense.] I don't know what your impression was of me. Tony is charming. He gets under your skin, even if your defenses are up high. [Bruce knew that from experience. He didn't shy away from her touch on his arm, allowing it for now.] People are usually too blinded by their own judgments to think about someone else's perspective.

[He frowned at her.] Running is sometimes the safest option. [Said the champion of running at the first sight of trouble.] It's a warehouse, run down, dirty. I think it's a drug den. [The suspicious people walking around left them alone at least.] I can't use the equipment here, it's probably rusty and half broken. I'd say it's condemned property. So you see where the problem is.

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Re: Gotham, in person: Selina K/Bruce B

spacecowboys
2014-03-16 09:31 pm UTC (link)

[She looked at him, considering, and then she shook her head when he smiled at her.] You don't look like a Bobby, and you have a nice smile. I get the feeling you don't use it nearly enough.

[If anything, his first impression made her go paler, and she had to force the little laugh she managed to give him once he was done talking.] You know, even without remembering whatever's real, I don't like the sound of that. A little pathetic, isn't it? Wanting to trust people? It sounds weak. [It did sound weak. It also felt like it hit very, very close to home. She dragged her finger along his arm again a second later, as if she'd forgotten the movement entirely.] What's your impression of yourself, Robert? I'll take that as an alternative.

[She looked around again, after his assessment.] Alright. I'll go with you, but I'm not staying. You run your little tests, and then you let me go. Do we have a deal? [As if she was in any condition to be making demands.]

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Re: Gotham, in person: Selina K/Bruce B

isalwaysangry
2014-03-16 10:27 pm UTC (link)

[Bruce was quiet while she reacted to what he was saying, and he dropped his eyes a little, giving her some small amount of privacy. He didn't like maintaining eye contact too long, and beyond that, he knew it wasn't easy to hear.] If it is, I'm more than a little weak and pathetic, but I knew that already.

[His smile was tight and touched with sadness.] My impression is that I had a bad background and it never got any better. I haven't been able to trust anyone in a long time. I don't remember what it feels like. [He was starting to get hints, from getting closer to Tony and his teammates. But he didn't trust it.] I'd say I was projecting on you, but I think instead I just understood. And that I know what it's like to want something better to be real even if everyone else is telling you it isn't.

[As if realizing how far he was heading off course, he cleared his throat and folded his glasses back into his pocket.] We have a deal. You'll be back soon enough to see your friends.

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Re: Gotham, in person: Selina K/Bruce B

spacecowboys
2014-03-16 11:11 pm UTC (link)

[She was quiet after his admission of potential weakness and patheticness, because what could she say to that?] Well, if you are weak and pathetic, I suspect you're in good company. Assuming I'm good company. I have a feeling this isn't my best moment. And I definitely know I've looked better.

[His smile, tight and sad, looked familiar somehow, and she didn't much like the recognition.] What kind of bad background? [She shook her head.] I think about trust, and it hurts. How ridiculous is that? [And maybe her mossy eyes were a little wet, but surely that was the fever.] I don't even know if I want this to be real. I just know I don't want the alternative, whatever it is. Am I allowed to ask what you want to be real, or are you going to avoid the question?

[She tugged his glasses out of his pocket almost as soon as he'd folded them and tucked them away, and she tested them to see just how blind he was.] Friends? [Scoff.] I'm starting to think I don't have any. But the girls are here, and they're always good for trouble. [Somehow, she knew that.]

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Re: Gotham, in person: Selina K/Bruce B

isalwaysangry
2014-03-16 11:27 pm UTC (link)

You are good company. And if this is you looking not your best, I feel like I'm in need of ten makeovers. [He was trying to joke, but he wasn't good at it, not like Tony. Bruce intentionally dressed and looked downplayed, often seeming messy and indifferent.]

I .... [Bruce swallowed, especially when she pointed out he was avoiding questions. And it was a skill of his. But he saw how distraught he was and felt responsible.] My father was abusive. He beat us regularly, and he killed my mother in front of me. [It was thirty years since and he could get strangely detached from it, except it still wasn't easy to say.] What I'd like to be real is having an ordinary life. I was engaged. I wanted a nice quiet life with her, helping the world through scientific progress. But we don't often get what we want.

[He let her take the glasses. He only needed them for reading. Bruce touched her knee lightly, comfortingly.] Whatever it is you'd go back to, Selina, it'll be all right. You'd be surprised what people can survive.

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Re: Gotham, in person: Selina K/Bruce B

spacecowboys
2014-03-16 11:35 pm UTC (link)

[A smile. A chuckle.] Was that a compliment, or were you trying to make a joke? [She suspected it was the latter.] And, since you mentioned it, your fashion sense is a little questionable.

[And she wasn't expecting anything that honest. She was quiet for a few seconds, and this time the scratch of nails that graced his forearm was accompanied by a reassuring press of fingertips at his wrist.] I would say I was sorry, but I know that wouldn't make anything better. Instead, I promise to tell you whatever my truth is, once I figure it out. [For someone who didn't share much, it was quite the offer.] How old were you? And what happened to your fiancee? [Because this man? This man was not engaged. Anyone with eyes in their head could see that.]

I think surviving is one thing, and I think living is another. [She slid off the table, and she tucked the glasses back in his pocket.] I'm not sure the former is worth very much, and I have a feeling I don't actually do the latter.

[A second later, the carefully cultivated feline smile was in place, and she held out a graceful hand.] After you, Robert.

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Re: Gotham, in person: Selina K/Bruce B

isalwaysangry
2014-03-16 11:49 pm UTC (link)

Joke. I'm as terrible at them as I am with my fashion choices, clearly. [He didn't shop. He picked whatever fit or mostly fit and considered it enough.]

[In truth Bruce wasn't quite expecting himself to tell the truth either. There were some doors better kept closed.] You can if you want to. I won't hold you to it. I was thirteen. [The question about Betty led to a whole different type of issue, and that was a little closer to the heart.] I left her because it wasn't safe. That might have to be a story for another day. [Too many secrets out.]

I don't disagree with you on that. [Bruce did neither. Surviving or living. He just passively moved around.] I'll tell you that when we work this out. You should actually live, that is. Not just survive. [It was good advice.]

[He looked at her hand and then gestured toward the door, where they could go back through and into the Marvel door.]

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Re: Gotham, in person: Selina K/Bruce B

spacecowboys
2014-03-17 12:33 am UTC (link)

[An honest, entertained grin.] It worked better as a compliment.

I'll hold me to it. It's only fair. Did he get caught, your father? [She scoffed at the entire concept of leaving someone because it was safer.] We'll have to discuss that at length. Who knows, maybe the real me thinks leaving someone who loves you to keep them safe is a good idea. This me would just be very, very pissed off about it. But then love is a bit of a touchy subject just now.

[A thoughtful hum of a sound.] I'll make another deal with you. You live, and I'll consider it. [Because she had a feeling he didn't live, not in any real sense. Just a hunch, and even in this messed up not-reality, the kitty cat trusted her hunches.]

[She looked toward the door when he motioned, and she pressed her fevered lips to his cheek.] Thank you, Robert. In case I forget.

[She didn't look back.]

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Re: Gotham, in person: Selina K/Bruce B

isalwaysangry
2014-03-17 03:12 am UTC (link)

[Her grin was infectious, he barely contained a smile.] It was a compliment, in an awkward, unspecific way.

Yes, he died in jail years ago. [Bruce rubbed the back of his neck when she scoffed at him.] This is the real you, Selina. A part of the real you. People aren't just one thing, they're multi-faceted. And I'll explain some time about the keeping her safe part, because I promise, you'll probably agree with me afterward.

[He definitely did not live, but those who can't do, teach. Or suggest. He got a little flustered and nodded at her.] Don't worry about it. We'll get you better. Everything will be okay. [Hopefully.]

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Re: Gotham, in person: Selina K/Bruce B

spacecowboys
2014-03-17 03:23 am UTC (link)

[Her smile widened, went lusher.] Awkward compliments are better than suave ones, Mr. Banner. Suave compliments can't be trusted. Neither can the suave men who issue them.

Don't be so sure that I'll agree with you about keeping your fiancee safe. I think fiancees should get a choice in that kind of thing, and let's hope that the real me isn't quite as emotional about being dumped.

[And she kept walking for the door, stopping only a second for his flustered little comment after that kiss. She chuckled, and then she put her hand on the doorknob and walked through. Goodbye, Gotham.]

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