(no subject)

[starkingenuity]

"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!"

Comments

[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."

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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?

[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?"

[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.

[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."

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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?"

[aggravated]

It's somewhat fascinating to watch Stark work the crowd so easily, but Bruce is regretting this over all as he hears the fake 'snap' from camera phones snagging him in pictures with Stark after they end up beside one another on the couch.

"You know I can't discuss that with you, Stark," Bruce dryly says, shaking his head. He himself only has a glass of water - too late for tea and he's not about to introduce the caffeine in a cup of coffee into his system. "All I can say is that there's enough cause for concern that we're checking everyone." No, one already is sick enough with the poisoning that Bruce ended up in a 'calm' fight with Fury about the situation.

[starkingenuity]

Tony lets his head hit the back of the sofa before he drains his coffee likes its a shot. The jolt is enough to start the sobering process, enough to wake him up a little. "So that means at least one of the first pilots have cancer. Oh goodie. Well slap some extra shielding on the Apostle and we're good to go. Ill wear some lead underpants too. Just in case I want to pass on my genius genetics to the next generation without having to worry about mutations."

Stark puts down the glass and starts in on his pastry as if the world has just been righted and he figured out the way to save mankind.

He hasn't but he has this terrible hero complex that he really can't shake. And probably doesn't want to.

"But if it will make you feel better and not come out here looking for me, I'll let you take my blood."

[aggravated]

Bruce can only imagine how hot the coffee is and actually winces, just faintly, as Stark drains it. His throat works to push down the imaginary scalding. "We're trying to make shielding that actually works versus might be working, and the only way to check that fully is to check the pilots as well." He keeps his voice quite soft in this public place, wishing they were back at the Shatterdome to discuss it instead of here.

With a barely concealed look of relief, Bruce honestly says, "thank you. It'll take a few minutes and that is it."

[starkingenuity]

Luckily for them both, the coffee had been iced and there only danger to the pilot happens to be from brain freeze. Only the truly mad or cold blooded drink hot coffee in Hawaii! He picks at the pastry quietly for a moment, nodding his head over and over to some strange beat only he can hear. At least he isn't humming. Sometimes that happens.

Jarvis is listening to music right now. He smirks. It's always fun to ghost drift with his co-pilot just as the blond is about to fall asleep. That's usually when it happens at least.

"I just have one ultimatum. You don't tell me the results. Ever." Because Jarvis will know.

[aggravated]

Jarvis also feels just a touch drunk in his room, which though does help towards falling asleep. Usually there's a reassuring feeling in knowing that he's brought Stark home safely to his bed, but tonight, he's left that in the doctor's hands to make sure that Stark is healthy.

Bruce might think Stark is just a tiny touch insane, but that's just fine. He's worked with worst in the past. The ultimatum makes him raise a brow. "And if you are sick, exactly how do you want it dealt with?" Because Stark would know, then.

[starkingenuity]

"Good...no actually that's a good question." Jarvis' little tug back is familiar and it's making Stark sleepy too which is...bad. Okay? Like really bad. He's no where near home and while no one is going to be stupid enough to do anything to him, he still needs to be back in his bunk and wake up first thing for training. He hides a yawn behind sticky fingers and focuses on Banner a little too intensely. "Well, slip it into my food. Mix it with scotch. Just don't tell me about it."

There's one person in the entire world that worries about him and Stark is trying to keep that to a minimum, okay? So don't go ruining this. He sets his feet up on the ornate coffee table before he licks his fingers and then thinks better of it.

"We have to go. He's falling asleep. I'm going to pass out too if we're still drifting. Schedule your tests for tomorrow during the usual physicals okay? I'll see your lab when I get a free minute."

[aggravated]

Oh? Oh oh Bruce immediately finds that absolutely fascinating. He's read Lightcap's research on the phenomenon, but he's never seen it for himself. Are Jarvis and Stark still really connected after the neural handshake ended? There are a thousand questions he wants to ask, but he manages to keep them politely quiet in the back of his mind.

"I'm going to get you home," Bruce states firmly, and stands up, ready to help the other up if needed. He'd been tasked to do so, and he would. "And I'll also make this simple, Stark. I'll be joining you and Jarvis at your physicals, and if you don't show up or try to dodge me, I will track you down while you sleep to do it." The threat isn't much of one, but he would do it if truly necessary. Hopefully it points out just how serious he is about this.

[starkingenuity]

Oh Banner. There's a sort of strange amusement to Tony Stark's smile as he stands up, a little unsteady on his feet. "Hm, that makes me want to skip, Doc," he teases. "Just to see you sneak into my bunk to draw some of my fluids." If Banner doesn't at least look somewhat taken aback, Tony is going to be rightly disappointed. For now, though, there's a lot of sleepy Britishisms in his head and it's a buzz kill. Especially when his co-pilot always thinks of things like the laundry or 'ringing his parents' rather than anything fun before he goes off to sleep.

Bruce's shoulder will be occupied by a very heavy head with dark hair and lashes for the trip back and Stark hums some of "Across the Universe" before complaining about Jarvis' abysmal and stereotypical taste in music.

"Beatles? Really?"

[aggravated]

"I can be sneaky if necessary, or I can have ten men hold you down while I get my sample." A little dry but meant as a joke. Sort of. Maybe. His nose wrinkles at the whole concept though.

This whole issue with Drifting is exactly why Jarvis put his foot down on Stark having any 'fun', self or otherwise, until he's firmly asleep or the ghosts are gone. Randomly dealing with mathematical equations or battle strategies or completely off topic thoughts about that woman's chest over there are still vastly preferred over the sudden horny urges of his co-pilot.

"Nothing wrong with the Beatles," Bruce says thoughtfully, but the comment and the humming makes it so he must ask a little more about it while it dangles right in front of his eyes. "Can you actually see images from Jarvis, still, or only sounds? Or just thoughts?"

[starkingenuity]

"Drifting doesn't work that way," Stark says lazily. The corners of his lips curl upwards. "But you'll never understand it until you do it. And let's hope you never have to do it. Because it kind of sucks too." He isn't too impressed with the degree of warmth Banner gives off but that's all right. These things happen. "I can't even explain it."

The cab bumps them and Stark's head shifts to the much cooler glass. They're back at the Shatterdome in minutes and Stark sort of pours himself through the door and salutes everyone they pass. At the cross connection of the corridor, Stark turns towards the doctor and puts a hand on his shoulder.

"And now, I must bid you adieu."

[aggravated]

Bruce actually gives Stark a look as they go to split, and there in the quiet hall, he says quietly, "it isn't me I'd be afraid of if I had to Drift, Stark. I already have someone else in my head. At least you get a break from it." He gives the other a nod, and turns, heading back down towards his lab.

He'll be there at the physicals, tomorrow. Right now, he has thoughts he needs to get out of his head.

[starkingenuity]

Despite late hours, drink, conversations about radiation poisoning that were suppose to be fixed in the Mark-Is last year before the Mark-IIs rolled out, Stark is prompt for his training and his drills. He spends his mornings after breakfast doing exercising, working with Jarvis through simulations, and stick fighting in the Kwoon room. It's always a sight to see when two drift compatible people are there instead of just trainees or one day pilot hopefuls. It becomes a dance.

One in which neither ever strikes the other, even when it goes on for over fifteen minutes.

After that, Banner can have his tests. Stark goes through them as needed, starting with a lung capacity test and ending with blood samples. He gives Banner a wink when he leans over. "Doctor. Nice to see you again."