starkingenuity | (no subject)

"Yep, actually, I did hear you, Doc. I'm just ignoring you." Don't be a buzz kill. Stark is riding high from that last fight. "It's just a cut. I've gotten a lot of cuts. Some bactine and some bandages and a little kiss over it from Jarvis here and I'll be just fine." The tall, leggy blond at his side doesn't even bother to roll his pale blue eyes. He's worked with Stark for years, too long really. He knows how the man acts.

"Sir."

That always makes Stark laugh and he lightly pats Jarvis on the back of his drivesuit. "Not your boss anymore, Jarv," he reminds him gentle. Or maybe he's just trying to drown out the mousy little guy following him. And that's when it hits him, halfway down the corridor, through the cheering crowds and the crews trying to get his Jaeger back into one piece. He knows that mousey little man follow him. "Shit. You're Doctor Banner! Well hey, nice to meet you finally! Man, we studied your tactics against Onibaba for months after that attack in Tokyo!"

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From:

starkingenuity

Jarvis doesn't need to discuss his love life. In fact, they don't really have to talk about anything at all by this point. There is a connection between them, a deep friendship and a reliance on one another. That's all they need. Love lives aside. Mostly because Jarvis doesn't have one.

Ahem.

When Stark does show up, there's a ton of hoopla and rounds of applause. Superstar status attained before now, Stark is still able to grow his ego even now. Just wait until he gets some free time and can start working on Arc Reactor tech again! They'll love him even more after that!

From:

aggravated

Jarvis has been quietly pushing Stark back towards that particularly technology, as a Jaeger that could run on the device would be self-sustaining and therefore immensely more powerful and useful and even better, safer. Yet right now, his partner is so focused on each upcoming fight that the tech seems further and further from his mind.

He quietly wonders if 'free time' will ever happen.

Jarvis slips in mostly unnoticed during the hoopla with his meal, and from the corner of his eye, spots Doctor Banner over at a table with a laptop in front of him, typing away rapidly with an ignored meal growing cold beside him.

From:

starkingenuity

How can free time happen when they have trials every day? Kwoon Combat Room work every day? Drifting exercises twice a day? Being a ranger isn't just about what happens during Kaiju attacks. Stark's usually too tired every night to do much of anything but pass out. So yeah, even his own love life is shot to shit.

He mostly just oggles now. And wishes he had a little extra umph at the end of the day to dabble with someone cute or long legged.

He doesn't notice the doctor at first, he just sits across from Jarvis and pokes at his carrots. "We should celebrate tonight. Actually go into town."

From:

aggravated

"Hmm, and drag you back when you've drunk yourself into a stupor? No thank you. However, that should not stop you from enjoying yourself." Though he would, mostly undoubtedly, end up with Stark if the other goes out to celebrate; there's still the feeling of needing to protect his co-pilot, even if from himself. "Eat your vegetables." With the faintest smile on his lips, knowing Tony will most likely get snippy about the 'order'.

From:

starkingenuity

"C'mon, they don't just want to see me." Man, why is he compatible with Jarvis again? The broccoli looks fantastic but just to spite his co-pilot, he ignores them. Two bites of steak and he's already on his feet. "But fine, suit yourself. See you tomorrow for training."

From:

aggravated

Because no one else can Drift with you, Tony. Only Jarvis, with no memories beyond his time with the Starks, can manage it. The only memories in his mind are Tony's, really. Otherwise Tony would need to clone himself.

"You really should eat," Jarvis reminds his partner, but only half-heartedly, know Tony's already set his mind. However, with a flick of his eyes towards the corner, he points out, "Doctor Banner is nearby. Without any of his devices."

From:

starkingenuity

"Does Doctor Banner want to go for a drink? He'd probably be just as good as you are for company. He can't even look at people." He gives Jarvis a half hearted shrug. He knows this is an attempt to get him to get checked out. "Why don't you spend the night getting the good doctor to give you a physical and you can tell me in the morning if we're going to die of radiation sickness."

He pats Jarvis on the shoulder and takes himself and his swagger passed Doctor Banner without acknowledging him. Stark's interest in physics and engineering have been out aside since he joined the Jaeger Program.

It's been all Jaeger, all training, all battle all the time ever since. Except when he goes out for a drink.

Maybe he does glance over his shoulder before he leaves the room though.

Maybe he glances at Banner.

Either way, it's fleeting.

From:

aggravated

Jarvis' eyes look over towards the doctor as he half follows his partner's movements out of the mess hall. Fleeting, perhaps, but Jarvis knows from the faint ghosting drifts that linger behind. Either way, it makes him shake his head and pick up his and Stark's tray, and he goes over to the doctor.

If Stark won't speak to him, then he will.

Bruce isn't expecting anyone to join him, not by any means, so when a shadow covers him he actually notices enough to look up. The pale blond would be someone he would remember even if he hadn't seen him before on TV celebrating a kill of another kaiju - Edwin Jarvis, one half of Mammoth Apostle.

But why is he here? "...hello." Offered up quietly.

From:

starkingenuity

"I would like to apologize for Stark." Jarvis sits down slowly as if expecting to spook the doctor. "And perhaps warn you that I maybe some time before he submits to testing. Unfortunately, Mr. Stark believes himself above the reproach of all others. I'd say being a pilot has gone to his head. But I suppose we both know he'd been like this since I met him."

Jarvis is not an entirely emotionless being, though he does come off as cold. Somewhat machine like. It's probably why Stark has kept him around so long, first as personal valet and butler along with Miss Potts as personal assistant.

He also knows when to keep his mouth shut and look the other way. Or, in this case, when not to.

"However there is a bar he frequents. I imagine that within the hour, he will have so much alcohol inside of him that he may become more... Pliant to suggestion. I usually collect him just past midnight. But perhaps you'd do my the favour of getting him for me?"

From:

aggravated

An interesting way to start this conversation, without a doubt, but not an unexpected one. The 'request', however, does come as a huge surprise and Bruce's brows lift, attention fully pulled from the work on his laptop. He hesitates at first, because the idea of going out into the city and doing at least one thing he doesn't have leave to do is nagging at his mind, but at the same time, Jarvis must be concerned enough about Stark to speak on his behalf, and Bruce wants to make sure that his patients are well. He's dealt with too much radiation sickness already.

So, after a short silence, he nods. "I think I could manage that," he says cautiously. The caution is more towards his next two questions, because either could easily drive away this brief alliance to get Stark in for medical testing. Ridiculous that it needs this kind of effort when Marshall could just order Stark in. "Have you noticed any changes in him, physically or mentally... other than the growing ego visible even through a television screen? And are you willing to be tested yourself?"

From:

starkingenuity

"I do attend regular physicals and I have one scheduled for tomorrow afternoon with my primary care physician in the Shatterdome if you would like to attend and take the samples or scans you need," Jarvis is quick to say. He has nothing to hide and would actually like the scan if it means potentially saving his life down the line. Even if it might ground Stark in the process. It could save him too.

Jarvis has true affections for the man. Stark knows that. He won't hate him too badly if the Mark-IIs happen to be lethal enough to warrant pilot rotation. Right?

Or perhaps less drill time inside Mammouth Apostle-- Oh all right, Stark will hate his guts.

"As for Mr. Stark's health, I can not say. I use to attempt to mind it as his valet but he seems determined to reduce me to co-pilot."

Only a life long servant would feel losing his place as servant to be a disservice and a downgrade.

From:

aggravated

It's intriguing to actually meet Jarvis in person. From the news reports, he's obviously the quieter ~~and taller~~ half of the pilot pair, but there are little things that are quite curious. 'Mr. Stark', for one. Odd for him to call his partner, even given their past history that Jarvis had just offered. Bruce, admittedly, hadn't spent a great deal of time around the first Jaeger pilots before he'd hidden from the word, but enough to understand there is a deep connection between the two. It makes him more curious about a servant who would remain a servant even after being in his master's mind.

"It should only take a few minutes," Bruce says with a tone of agreement and managing to bring up a small smile. "A scan and a blood sample and your physician can give me the rest." He'd seen, once or twice, Stark and Jarvis on different talk shows, where Stark had seemed very proud of telling the whole world that Jarvis had been his servant for so many years.

Bruce does get the urge to ask, and so with a quiet voice, asks, "exactly how did you get the idea of being the one compatible with Stark? Seems... a bit of an odd dynamic." Considering most pilots were linked in a deep way - family, marriage - though there were, on occasion, the two people who were simply meant to be together.

From:

starkingenuity

"A happy accident," Jarvis replies, almost fondly. In a still cold sort of manner. If that's possible. "Mr. Stark went through Jaeger training quickly. Just as he had gone through MIT. Much too quickly. It takes almost a year for candidates to make it to this stage. A full year of tests and training. He blew off the charts in three months. But that's standard knowledge. Unfortunately for him, he doesn't Drift well with others. He doesn't connect to anyone. He decided to use me to get a base line to conduct at home testing for candidates when the Jaeger program offered him a research position rather than a piloting one."

Again, that all too fond smile is back. He can remember Stark raging through their Malibu home, coddling together his at home pons machine.

"We Drifted without meaning to. And we've done it for the last year. He pulled strings on my training. That was easy. I follow him. I've followed him since I was eighteen years old and found him throwing up in a hotel hallway plant where I was working. Co-piloting with him is easy. He leads and I just keep on following."

From:

aggravated

While the story is incredible, it's not all that surprising in some senses. Everyone knew of Stark's genius, from more than just his boosting on the talk show rounds, so to hear how quickly he went through training is no surprise. However, the subtle fondness in Jarvis' voice and the information on how they met... it makes Bruce's smile a touch more real. Stark might be an egotistical, frustrating man, but at least someone cares for him.

So with Jarvis and Stark, it is more leader and follower than two equal halves. Very interesting. He's been studying Doctor Lightcap's work as much as he can, and finds it absolutely fascinating. Possibly a little more than he should. "Do you enjoy this?" A small gesture, not only indicating the place around them but the career as well. Jarvis doesn't exactly seem the type.

From:

starkingenuity

"Enjoy it? Heavens no. But it is my duty. Both to my species and to Mr. Stark." Jarvis stands to collect his tray and offers the doctor a match book from the place he'll find his co-pilot. "He's highly suggestible when drunk. You really only need to tell him to come along. Unless he's dancing. And then you ought to let him finish. Thank you again for the favour, doctor. Ill see you tomorrow afternoon."

He's not sure if he's doing the right thing walking away from Stark but he does worry for his health and if he can come to trust Banner, perhaps they won't need to go over his head to Fury about getting the scans mandatory.

Stark never does well with force.

From:

aggravated

Duty to Stark, spoken like a true servant. Bruce says a goodbye as Jarvis leaves, then looks down at the matchbook. Is he really going to do this? It would be easier to have Fury go and force Stark to submit to scans, but if Stark is anything like he seems, even that would be a fight.

Bruce sighs and looks over at his laptop. On screen is every scan he's made of Kaiju Blue since he first 'borrowed' samples before he left. He's gotten a few more since his arrival back in Los Angles, but he needs more. If he manages one thing outside of making sure the pilots are safe, he wants to find a way to neutralize Kaiju Blue.

The tray is picked up, dumped, and Bruce is off with his laptop to get changed into something that will stand out a little less in a crowd. In less than an hour, he's snuck out of the base and into town.

From:

starkingenuity

It's actually fairly easy to do the sneaking. No one expects Bruce to leave and after the last battle, no one is really looking out for it. Banner is an asset. If the Jaegers fall, he's the back up plan. Since the Mark-IIIs still in production might bankrupt them, they need to keep him safe. And calm. And away from people.

Bruce is taken by cab to the little bar but he probably hadn't needed directions. Not when everyone left in the civilian area outside the Shatterdome happens to be where Stark is.

When he's happy, he buys rounds for everyone in a two block vicinity. It makes the bar and her regulars very happy indeed. Bruce will find Stark making himself happy too when he enters. He's taken up on the dance floor. The moves are... Well lets just say that Stark enjoys his grooving.

From:

aggravated

He's going to be embarrassed for Stark, standing at the very edges of the crowd and feeling so painfully out of place. It's taken years to be able to even do this - standing among so many people, getting jostled far too often - without any sort of negative reaction. Those he'd just snuck out on would not be happy in the least to know he's out here, but he agreed to assist them, not be their pawn again.

Or so he wants to believe.

Following Jarvis' instructions, he waits for Stark to stop dancing before approaching him, already working in his mind just what he's going to say to Stark to get him to come back. So, he starts with the basics, trying to think what Jarvis might say. "Stark?" as he gets within earshot. How does anyone deal with music at this volume for any length of time?

From:

starkingenuity

"Well hello Doctor Banner," Stark purrs. Loudly. The beat of the music is fairly high and conversations have to be had at a rather close proximity. His hand falls to Bruce's side, over his ribs, because it's easier to lean in that way considering how in danger of falling over he is. There's no shortage of people here to see him, flirt with him, try to get taken back home by him, but Stark's a professional. And he's gotten into trouble bringing girls back to the Shatterdome so he either takes what he can get in back alleys or someone else's bed or just goes without.

He's probably a little too drunk, judging by smell, to do anything but go without tonight any how.

"What is a man like you doing in a place like this? Want me to buy you a drink? Want to buy me a drink? You probably have the nicest eyes I've ever seen. Want to dance?"

From:

aggravated

Why did he think this was a good idea again? Stark smells terrible and getting a blood sample is going to be nothing short of a miracle. Still, he can't just leave the pilot to end up face down in some alley to be mugged or killed (or so his conscience tells him).

Despite every inch of his body being against it, he slips an arm around Stark and starts not so subtly steering him towards the exit. "No, no thank you, Stark. I'm actually here to take you back to Jarvis and a few nice cups of coffee." And a shower. Ug. He is regretting his better-than-the-norm sense of smell.

This close, Stark will feel just how warm Bruce is. His clothing is all military about a size too big, so even dressed 'down' he still looks in better shape than anyone at the bar.

From:

starkingenuity

Hey. He does not smell bad. He smells like top end scotch. And that is delicious! Stark grins at Banner and the crows feet around his eyes crease slightly before he just gives in and leans against the other man. "Aren't you hot?" he asks. "Being in Hawaii must really suck for you."

To have that sort of internal temperature, Bruce would be better suited to Alaska. Why didn't they assign him to the Anchorage Shatterdome?

"If you want coffee there is a really good coffee place opened late." He doesn't want to go back. Not yet. The night is young. And Banner here is someone new and interesting to talk to. "Let me pick your brain. Show you mine if you show me yours."

From:

aggravated

...You reek, Stark. Like scotch and sweat and ego.

Bruce knows well enough that people all consider Stark handsome - the Jaeger pilots are all over TV and posters and the internet, after all - but he ignores it entirely in the face of how ridiculous this all is.

"I prefer the heat, actually," Bruce says calmly. "If you want me to--" can't even believe he's sayin this, "show you mine, you really need to see my lab. I have all of my work down there." New angle to try and get Stark back, or so he hopes.

From:

starkingenuity

"Oh ho-- Oh very nice Doc. I love how you tried-- No I mean really. A lot of people wouldn't try that with me. I mean, I see through people. Good intentions and everything. I still want that coffee. Off base. The shit in the Shatterdome is suppose to be gourmet but I lost my taste for hundred bucks a pound French roast just about the time San Francisco was attacked."

He gives Bruce a small squeeze and let's the other man take him out into the clammy, humid night. He likes the heat himself but being next to Banner makes him feel like he's got a fever.

"One coffee. On me. And then you can take me home." That grin says it all. Stark prefers to speak in flirts.

From:

aggravated

That had been almost subtly social for Bruce. When he's actually dealing with a patient, it's much easier for him to handle people, but in situations like this, he feels sort of lost and hopeless. Between his father and too much growing up in the Army, there's not a lot of education in that area. Still, he's trying.

Bruce wants to sigh at the delay, and the fact that the coffee will help sober Stark up and therefore less open to suggestion (not nearly open enough, Jarvis) but maybe the other would more willingly come if given the chance.

Maybe.

"One cup," Bruce agrees, but the flirt goes right over his head. Mostly. It's ignored, if nothing else.

From:

starkingenuity

That's probably fine because Stark flirts with everyone. Even toddlers. He's definitely not the sort to actually buy into when he says those flowery words. With another grin and some heavy leaning, they do manage to get to the coffee shop. It's pretty full, as coffee houses go, but when Stark asks a group of younger men if he can have their couch, they agree for the price of an autograph and some pictures. Even drunk, Tony pulls off a pretty sober exchange.

He has a Malaysian iced coffee in one hand and a cruller in the other when he takes a seat and turns towards the Doctor. "So have you checked the other pilots? The Mark-Is? How are their radiation levels?"