[MINGLE] Worried/Sick 2: Snake Expedition & Recovery!

[sixthiteration]

WHERE: Anywhere; multiple locations
WHEN: Apx. 19-27 November
OPEN TO: ALL - MINGLE
WARNINGS: Serious illness and reactions to such, snakes, hallucinations

IMPORTANT NOTES: This is the second of two mingles. Please see the timing and general event details here.

Not putting any mod top-levels in this one — Just make sure you label your own top-level clearly as to whether it's Expedition or Recovery, and as always, whether it is OTA or not!

Please keep in mind the established plot details, but creative license is welcome and encouraged as long as it doesn't step on toes.

Comments

[tothefly]

"Exactly. And hey, I could do worse." Of course he doesn't want to hear it, but maybe he should. A reminder that he isn't a terrible person, no matter how much he might feel like one, from someone who has never lied to him, even when it might save one or both of them heartache. It's better than a reminder that no matter how bad he might think he is, she's done worse. Bruce Banner might not hurt a fly, but Natasha Romanoff has hurt many, many things far worse, and not always for a good cause. Maybe that's why she can see the allure of this place, see the trap. It's a chance to start over. Make different choices.

She can't quite bring herself to regret this one, no matter how it might end up.

"A date? Hm, I mean, my schedule's pretty full, but I think I could pencil you in," she says, and her tone is faintly teasing, an attempt at returning to normalcy, comforting routine. He can't repress forever, and maybe she'll push a little at those edges another time, when he's not still weak and recovering, but for now, she's here, and so is he, and a date sounds nice. "What about next week sometime, after everyone's recovered and things are calmer?" Hopefully calmer, anyway.

[notsoangry]

It's such a simple thing, to ask for a date in the most complicated of situations, but this seems huge to him. She was his first kiss since Betty, and now she would be his first date too. Strangely enough, if it wasn't for the nightmare he just went through, Bruce might not have asked. They're in such a tenuous place, but he's tired and beaten down and he really wants to be with her. In this room, as friends, out on a date, as more than, whatever it is, that's what he wants. He's not going to second guess it. He might think she has lousy taste, but she's a grown woman. If he's what she wants, he's what she'll get.

"I'd appreciate that," he replies dryly. "Pencil and not a pen? Harsh." Bruce nods, knowing he's not close to recovered himself. He's weak and the fever's only barely gone. He has to go back to the hospital and be a doctor, and he doesn't want to, he wants to stay here and be a man flirting with a pretty girl. "We'll get better, who knows if we'll get calmer." He smiles. "Wow, now I really want to smack myself for thinking being in a Little Red Riding costume was a big deal." It did lead to some laughter for them, and by the end of the night he had drinks with friends and relaxed. It was strange, but even now, only barely alive, he still really liked this place and what it was offering them.

Blame it on his mind. After a beat, he blinks a few times. "You know. I think we completely missed Thanksgiving."

[tothefly]

If it weren't for the nightmare they've just lived, she might not have said yes. She'd told Tony at the very beginning that she wasn't about to rush into anything, to let Bruce rush into anything, but he'd almost died. She hadn't realized how much she'd grown to count on the Hulk's inability to die, on Bruce's safety no matter what. She'd lost so many people, and here was one she would never lose that way. And then the loss of the Hulk, and then the illness, and now...it's not a proposal. It's not a declaration of undying love. But a date--a date sounds just about the right speed. "You telling me we have that kind of technology? In the year of our lord 1890, or whatever this place is?" Her answer is easy, amused. It's not relevant. "You know you're the only one on my dance card, anyway. With or without lacy petticoats." It takes her a very, very long time to let anyone in. A longer time to want to. He's an exception to a very large rule. A silly thing like a costume wouldn't change that. Just look at what they've been through together.

It's easy to just lean over again, nudging his shoulder, and let herself stay there. Eventually he's going to have to get up, to go rest, to go be a doctor again, but until he's ready she'll sit here as long as he likes. "Maybe. Probably. It's not a holiday I ever paid much attention to, honestly. Does it bother you? Missing it?"