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

Stark shows up just past eleven. His arm is still wrapped and he's breathing just fine, nothing wrong with him. There's really very little threat of a reaction at this point, but he's playing along with Banner. Wheeling in with a cooler in his lap and his battery riding along on top, he purposefully bangs into the doctor's calves and grins up at him.

"Miss me? I would have. I often do if I've been distant with myself. Anyhow, I called in some favors. They're in my lap. You're a very lucky man, Banner. And I'm not just saying that. I know it for a fact."

Tony talks loud and fast and there's nothing about him that isn't flashy.

From:

aggravated

Hey, don't mess with the guy who's trying to make sure you don't keel over and die from a reaction in the long term. So much for being thorough.

Bruce's brows lift at Stark's words, and dryly, he offers, "maybe you have multiple personality disorder, if you are distant with yourself." But the irony of it doesn't escape him, even as it was meant to be a joke, and the corner of his mouth lifts. Stark certainly does bring a certain speed into his life that hadn't been there before.

The room is small, a bit bigger than the pilots' rooms, however, and only for Bruce. There are notes taped to the wall above a laptop settled in the corner, the bed is neatly made, and along side of the bed-- is that a yoga mat? The only other real personalizing effect in the room is a small picture of a woman that sits beside the laptop, not even framed, actually a bit ragged at the edges.

"What did you manage to bring?" A touch curious.

From:

starkingenuity

Stark can work with small. He's a picky man but for those with certain other attributes, he can overlook other situations. And yes. He has to make absolutely everything sexual. It's been awhile for him. Saving the planet and constantly training to do it again sort of puts a damper on things in that area. Who has the time?

Lifting the battery aside, Stark holds up the cooler for Banner.

"You said you only like a little ice cream but not what kind so I had a groupie get me every flavor from a gelato place in the center of the city." He works wonders with his contacts.

From:

aggravated

Stark would probably have an aneurysm if he found out just how long it'd been since Bruce had done... anything, even with just himself. Even if it is a bit judgmental, Bruce would have been highly surprised to know Stark isn't getting any lately, considering that Stark could have his choice of women whenever he wanted between his fame, good looks, and charisma.

Bruce's lips part at just what Stark has in the cooler, unable to find words. It's... such a ridiculous but kind gesture that he honestly doesn't know what to say at first, other than, "thank you? You... You never had to go through that much trouble." Or send someone else to go through that much trouble.

He reaches over and takes the cooler, putting it on his desk and opening it. Indeed, there's a dozen nestled containers with all sorts of ice cream. Incredible.

From:

starkingenuity

Probably not, no. He did not need to go to the trouble. But he wanted to. The artisan ice creams aren't the point, but the variety is. It's a way to get to know Banner, actually. Watching his taste preference could be the key to getting to know the man.

Stark wheels himself over to the scientist and offers him a small wooden spoon with a grin. Giving gifts always makes him feel good when someone is so obviously pleased by them.

From:

aggravated

Bruce takes the offered spoon with a small chuckle. "You never do anything simply, do you, Stark?" With no labels on the containers, Bruce has to take a bit of a guess on what to try first. He spots a few that look like they contain some form of chocolate, one that possibly has caramel in it-- and that is the one he chooses to go for first.

But then he hesitates, and looks back to Stark. Not wanting to be rude, he offers instead, "what would you like? There's a lot of variety."

From:

starkingenuity

There had better be a lot of variety. He'd given express instructions to get something of each. The war might be raging but there is still plenty of reason to have fun and specialty food shops have not suffered for business. In fact, they've boomed. All of these flavored are named after Kaiju. Tony is just going to keep that to himself.

"Yeah pass over anything that looks like rum raisin," he requests and watches Banner make a fuss over the flavors.

He ought to have labeled them.

Sent from my iPhone

From:

aggravated

Finally, Bruce picks one at random, popping open the lid. "Well, it isn't purple, so I'll safely guess it isn't rum raisin." Even he sounds a little bit of disgusted at the flavour. It's certainly not one he would be interested in. He eyes the ice cream over and cautiously suggests, "maybe chocolate marshmellow?"

He offers it over to Stark, grabbing another one (the caramel) and sitting on the edge of his bed. With a quick movement of the spoon, he scoops a bit and tastes.

For just a moment, Stark will see a little moment of happiness on Bruce's face. His eyes close, a smile on his lips, and he looks years younger when his expression relaxes.

From:

starkingenuity

Stark wouldn't trust purple ice cream and he makes a face at Banner. He'll look for the rum raisin later, a creamy beige with little black flecks in it. He's not suppose to really drink -- haha -- and there's only rum extract in the mix, but it's a little taste of home when alcohol isn't around.

He does take the chocolate though, diving right on it. It's amazing what gelato can be when someone sets their mind to it. He prefers it to regular ice cream hands down.

There's no way he misses that little happy face, though, and he laughs in amusement. "Looks like we found the way to your heart."

From:

aggravated

Not a flavour Bruce has sought out in the past nor would he want to. And you're not allowed to drink, Stark! Specially not until the last of surgeries are complete and you have a technology miracle in your chest.

Bruce blinks and looks to Stark, confused by the statement before looking a touch sheepish. "It's something I haven't had in a while, that's all." He looks a little more reserved than that moment of happiness a moment before, but there's still a smile on his lips.

"Do you have a time for when Yinsen feels he'll be able to do the surgery?" Pointing a little towards Stark's chest.

From:

starkingenuity

That icing over of the smile makes Stark just a little sad. In his own humble opinion, Banner should keep on smiling, and none of that pretend nothing is wrong and I'm totally normal sort of smiling. That stuff is better than nothing.

"Soon as the tech is ready I can go for installation," he muses and slouches back in the chair. The rocky road set aside he goes for mystery number two and ends up with sherbet. Ah well.

"I wonder if I should change my name to robo-stark."

From:

aggravated

Other than their genius and addiction to their work, Bruce and Stark could not be further apart in many senses. Bruce could fake-smile, but it was often at his own expense, a dark sort of humor. Still, there are times when Stark's sense of humor nudges against his own, enough to produce a smile and a joke in return, like right now.

"Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to make the world's first bionic man?" Trying for a bit of a joke. "Though since it doesn't necessarily make you better, faster, or stronger, maybe not quite up to 'robo-stark' yet."

From:

starkingenuity

"That's because you haven't seen the souped up version of the reactor yet. I'll even be able to shoot lasers out of my chest and breathe fire." Banner sweeps him away. Each little half glance, each smile, every single moment that they spend together is amazing.

Where were people like this when he was growing up? He'd have to thank the Kaiju for introducing them sometime.

"I was thinking of installing a change machine too."

Go on. Laugh. You know you want to.

From:

aggravated

"I didn't know they were installing fire-protective lining down your throat," Bruce says completely dryly, covering up the smile that wants to come with a bite of ice cream. However, the bit about the change machine gets a laugh that's more of a snort of air that turns into something silent in his chest, a smile crossing his lips.

"I don't even want to know where the quarters come from, but they'll be coming to you when they want to do laundry." He tries to remember the last time he laughed, an honest laugh and not something to be polite, and realizes he can't remember. Stark... it's such silly stuff, but somehow, it gets to him.

From:

starkingenuity

Tony's got a small problem with actually acting his age. He'd been aloof and cold during school until he discovered how to downplay some of his arrogance and use it to channel charm instead. He really did a lot better with people when he pushed the 'better than you puny normal IQs' to the back of his mind. However, Bruce is right on up there with him in the smarts department and charm gives way to a foolish desire to play class clown in an endeavor to make friends.

Banner's slow to bite, though, and Tony is trying all of the bait he knows. The trouble is, he's bad at making friends. As bad as he is good at changing the world with a little tinkering.

"Upgrades are important for evolution, Banner. I need to keep up with you."

He finishes off his ice cream and goes for another cup. Butter pecan. Well, he's had worse.

From:

aggravated

Stark isn't the only one who's bad at making friends in the room. While Bruce's learned from his past to be nearly the total opposite of ego and pride, it's turned into a hermit-nature and a social shyness - unless he's speaking to a patient about medical things, then Stark's seem him be more forward, eyes meet. When they're discussing their work as well, a remnent of his past before the accident.

Stark might think of himself as being bad at this, even just in his subconscious, but he's gotten Bruce to smile and even laugh where people usually don't. And somehow he's talked his way into Bruce's room.

However, the comment about 'keep up with you' makes Bruce flinch, nearly dropping his spoon. His fingers are curled somewhat protectively around his caramel-ladened treat, but his expression's changed. So has his voice, when he whispers, "there's nothing upgraded about me."

Sore point, Stark. ~~Danger Will Robinson Danger~~

From:

starkingenuity

"That's because you really don't give yourself any credit," Tony says around his spoon, knowing already that he's touched a nerve. It's always exposed, and that makes it dangerous. But he loves danger. He craves it. He taps the spoon against his teeth as he looks up at Bruce.

What he sees in Banner is nothing like Banner sees in the mirror. And that's a shame. Sure. Green rage monsters are scary but they're also amazing. Remarkable. And Bruce can't see it. It's a terrible shame.

"And because you think you've been cursed. And you haven't. I mean if you think about it, you being you is how we met." It's like that's how he plans on telling their kids the story one day. It's utterly ridiculous and once again makes it difficult for Stark to come off as simply flirting.

From:

aggravated

Tony Stark and Bruce Banner are as far apart in what they see in Bruce than their personalities. Bruce's expression right now is guarded. Uncertain. Maybe even wary. He listens to Stark, then lets out a breath all at once. The sound is just about angry, and the faint smile, the laugh? Neither are happy sounds.

"You have no idea, Stark. You have no idea what it is. It's a curse. It's a body that science would say couldn't exist, forcing me to guess and learn and suffer and triumph and finally just figure out how to exist without harming everyone else. I'm pure poison. I wouldn't even share my spoon with you just to be safe."

From:

starkingenuity

Anger? Actually he likes that. He really likes the way that Banner is looking at him now which is probably going to be a huge slew of issues in the near future.

"Maybe I don't understand exactly but what I do know is that you're not toxic. Not you. Your blood might be but that's why they make condoms." Yes. He just equated the Hulk to AIDS.

He's probably not suppose to stand but Stark stands anyway, just so he can stop looking up.

"And I wouldn't share a spoon with you anyway. No offense. I just like my cutlery to be my own." He offers the other scientist a sardonic smile. "I want you to stop having a problem with who you are. I think you're amazing. And I don't say that lightly. I'm not easy to amaze."

From:

aggravated

Stark do you have a death wish?? Bruce's eyes are darker than they were before, the more Stark keeps talking, until that very last part. For a moment, it strikes him, giving a moment of a much younger, surprised, uncertain Bruce before it turns back to something darker. "I am toxic. Every inch of me, the second it breaks the skin." He paused, oddly, then in the nature of a scientist, had to correct himself. "My saliva is very mild, actually. Not certain why, yet?"

He shakes his head with a little sigh. "I'm dangerous, not amazing." The anger doesn't last, but only through a lot of practice. It could come back up in a heartbeat, it's hovering there, but just below the line right now.

From:

starkingenuity

"Hm, probably the same reason why some viruses don't do well being transmitted in saliva," he points out because let's face it, they're both scientists here. And he can't help himself any more than Bruce can when it comes to pushing logic into what might as well be an emotional conversation.

He sees the anger but Stark let's it go. Banner doesn't trust himself but Stark trusts him.

He plops himself on the other's bed and lays the battery in the corner by his head. "You're really not that dangerous. Actually, from what I hear of it, you happen to be somewhat of a savior. Thanks for that."

From:

aggravated

"He's never done that before, you realized." No, that isn't true. The Hulk had known his desire to save Betty. Had listened to her. Then the Hulk had gone out and save both of these men he barely knew.

"Fury gave me a disc to watch what the Other Guy did, but... I still haven't. I don't want to know." There is venom in his words, a sickness, a sourness. All proof of how much he hates the creature that lies inside of him. No one should trust him, but yet they do. Those who don't know him trust him because they don't know better. Even Fury wants him to stay here, never to go out, keeps him apart.

But Stark doesn't do any of that. Comes right up to him, challenges him, even the little details like running into him with his chair. No one else did that.

From:

starkingenuity

That gets a raised eyebrow and Stark pushes himself up on an elbow to look back over at Banner. "You want Mr. Large and Ugly to be a bad guy," he observes, smirking at Bruce. "That's why you don't want to know. You don't want to see that there might be something good there. Or something of you. Pop it in. Lets see this daring rescue. I hope the footage shows my good side."

He pushes up Banner's pillows to prop himself up more comfortably and laughs.

"Then again, every side is my good side."

From:

aggravated

Like a sore tooth, Stark couldn't help but probe, could he? Bruce's fingers clench hard at his side and when he looks up, Stark can see the change. He meets Stark's eyes without issue, and somewhere in their depths, there is a hint of green. "He's a mindless beast with a severe rage issue and endless strength. He's not me."

He looks away, eyeing over the disc still sitting by his computer. He doesn't want to watch it. "I can't." It's very quiet, but there is still a dark tone to it. "Have you ever gotten very drunk, and witnessed yourself being so somehow the next day?"

From:

starkingenuity

Stark's eyebrows make a dramatic shoot upwards. "Uh...yeah?" C'mon Bruce, you're talking to Tony Stark here. The man use to have whiskey for blood. "But fine. I won't thank you for saving me then. I'll thank him. But you're on eggshells. You're top-toeing here. I can see it in your eyes. You need to let out some steam. In a good way." He's prodding. Of course he's prodding. The man use to tinker for a living. "But if you don't want to watch it, mind if I pop it in? You eat the ice cream. I want to see what happened to my poor Jaeger."

His own fault, really. He'd let it all just get away from him.