peterparker | ❧ INBOX || IC/OOC Contact

[Is he alright? Peter's first reaction upon receiving the text is to snort lightly. What does Dr. Banner mean, exactly? Is it...

A. Are you all right after learning that the thing I kept from you was a potentially fatal secret?

B. Are you all right after finding out that the man who killed your girlfriend's father, your once-friend and only connection to your parents, is here and out to murder you? (Bonus points for letting him escape.)

C. Are you all right after realizing that my affliction is disturbingly, painfully similarly to that of Dr. Connors, turning someone you respected into someone you're not sure you can trust?

D. Are you all right after having your torso mauled, your leg ripped up, your trachea squeezed and then being left by someone you thought was your friend to deal with it on your own?

E. All of the above.

Peter was not alright.

He'd decided not to reply to the text at all, but like most things that bugged him, he just couldn't get it out of his head. Maybe it was guilt-- wasn't it immature not to write back, to the guy that might have saved your life?

Granted, was saving someone's life nixed by leaving them to die right after? He'd lost a lot of blood, he'd been in a serious amount of pain and someone else had come to help him.

Peter wasn't so sure.

He assumed Dr. Banner didn't want to talk about what had happened because, yeah, clearly between the two of them here... Peter was the suspicious one. Right.

About a day and a half after receiving that text, he finally fires off a reply.]

Thanks for your help.

[There. Now maybe he at least didn't have to feel guilty; ~~though he likely would, anyway.~~ The bad mood wasn't blowing over any time soon.]

[The lack of response worries Bruce at first - he was almost convinced that something had happened, but he managed to talk to some of the people doing the repairs who had said that they had seen Peter - not in the best shape, but alive all the same.

Still... Bruce supposes he can't blame Peter for not wanting to talk to him. How does one talk about seeing you turning into a monster and nearly killing you in the process. Sure, the other guy had managed to not do too much damage, but the worst was already there.

He's almost prepared to just take it all in stride and try to move on when he finally gets a response. Bruce takes a moment to think about how he should reply to something like that, because - yeah, Bruce knows he should probably explain himself.]

No problem.

Are you better now, though?

[His injuries, not... in general. Since he guesses that Peter doesn't want to talk about that.]

[Seriously? Seriously?

That really didn't matter when you left him there, Doctor Banner. He doesn't see why it's important now.

He's replying, isn't he? Means he still has both hands. No need to worry.]

Yup. A-OK.

[If he didn't talk to his Aunt May about stuff like this? Then there was exactly 0 chance he was about to really discuss it with someone who'd lied to him.

And yeah, Dr. Banner; when you omit something like that? Something that could potentially get a lot of people really, really hurt? Something you needed help with, something other people needed to be aware of? It was lying.

If that makes Peter a hypocrite for not fessing up his own secret, well. He could live with that. He might be Spider-Man, but he wasn't Black-Widow-Man; his wasn't that important.]

[There's an awkward pause now from Bruce, because - yeah. Its clear enough to him that Peter is troubled by the other guy. The way he's acting in these messages reminds him far too much of SHIELD, of Nick Fury, of Natasha when they first met. That crippling uncertainty, the fear of the beast that lived under his skin.

Again, Bruce just wishes things could be so much simpler, so much easier. This was just one of the countless reasons why he hated the other guy so much. He simply ruined everything.]

When you're up for it, we could have a meal together? I know there's some things I need to explain to you.

[Since its not like he can hide it from Peter any more, not after that display.]

[While Peter's a good deal surprised that Dr. Banner is offering to talk about it at all... this wasn't how it was supposed to go. It wasn't supposed to be something you were forced to say, after an unfortunate incident in which your workplace was ruined and the cat was out of the bag anyway. It was supposed to be something you said because it was the responsible thing to do; because you cared.

Peter kept his own dilemma a secret because it could hurt the people he wanted to protect. If not knowing was what could potentially get them in trouble, he would be open about it.

The fact that Bruce doesn't really care isn't that shockingr that, though. After all, it's pretty clear they don't know each other afte. But running off with your bff and leaving someone in that condition? A little harsh between frienemies, much less co-workers.

It's not the Other Guy that had Peter so bent (though yeah, that's pretty out there.) It's the fact that Bruce left and didn't come back.

He couldn't wrap his mind around that.

And he sure didn't want to talk about it.]

No. Thanks.

Talking isn't your forte. 2-4, Loud & Clear.

Don't worry; I won't tell anyone.

[And when Peter says that, what can Bruce do? He's never been good at handling confrontations, doubly so when its something as complicated as this. Bruce always steps back and doesn't push even though he knows he should, but at the same time pushing people is a risk for him. Because if he pushes and they push back... well, enough people know what happens after that.

So he steps back. Because its the only thing he knows how to do, and because he's always been expecting this to happen eventually. People find out about the other guy and then avoid him. That's how things had been. Have been. Are still being.

(Was it stupid of him, to hope otherwise?)]

Okay, If you don't want to, I won't.

[Okay.]

Thank you.

[Time to cut his losses and move on. That's how things always had been, until SHIELD and Tony and Somarium.

Fine. He's fine. This isn't the first time.

Just the first time in a long enough while.]

[So that was it?

Well, yeah. Of course it was. He didn't know why he expected any kind of apology, or-- or anything, quite frankly. Bruce had offered to explain, but what was there to explain? Peter understood.

So, you're a big green monster with a PhD and good intentions. Okay, sure. He's been there, done that. Not that surprising anymore.

But he could almost kick himself for expecting 'good intentions' to also mean 'I can be bothered with your welfare'. A little off for a doctor to be this blaise about it, but hey.

Peter was used to it.

He probably should just leave it there. But there's still some stuff to clear up, and even if he doesn't want to deal with it, he could only run away for so long.

So, he fiddles with the phone. The longer he fiddles, the less hurt he feels and the more... angry, quite frankly. He's mad and he wishes he were better than that, but he's not. He's seventeen, disappointed and upset.]

Sorry; I don't think I'll be coming in to work this week.

Or next week.

Maybe you should hire an intern you're cool with peeling off the floor after the next Bring Your Problems To Work Day.

Didn't realize that would be so much of a hassel for you.

[Okay, he's going to feel really bad about that later, even if he does think it's true. But he just couldn't help it anymore, he'd needed to lash out. Even over text, Bruce just didn't care and Peter didn't get it.

What had he done to deserve that kind of total detachment?]

[And it does hurt, the words. It stings, but again - not the first time. Bruce knows he has issues, but he also knows that there's no use bringing them up, which is why he has never done it. Never dared to do it. Who would want to deal with the problems that he has?

But still, the words burn, and Bruce can feel the twist in his gut that had nothing to do with hurt and everything to do with guilt. Not the first time, of course, but this one hits just a little harder, because Peter is a good kid - just caught in this situation where Bruce had no choice but to turn into the other guy.

He hates it, really.]

If that's what you want, I can't stop you. You're free to leave whenever you want.

[He's giving Peter a way out - himself a way out, because Bruce is not good at confrontations and only adept at running away. Which is what he's been doing for his entire life.]

[Still no reaction, still pretty much nothing.

Just: OK, bye then.

It's so frustrating that he nearly beans the Dreamberry across the room, before forcibly reminding himself what a bad idea that would be.

...He couldn't stop him? What a cop out. He should just admit that he was okay with it because it didn't matter.

Well it had mattered to Peter. He wished that he could just pretend it didn't, or tell himself that he hadn't enjoyed working with Dr. Banner, hadn't wanted to help him, hadn't wanted to be his friend (or, apparently more ridiculous still, thought he was).

With the way the guy had been acting, Peter seriously had to wonder why he'd even been hired.

That last one is hard to reply to, because he doesn't know how. He isn't sure how to say any of this, and he's embarrassed at the thought that he'll be laughed at, looking down on or just plain ignored. He wasn't used to having as many important people in his life as he did here, much less an actual adult who was interested in the same things he was and who thought of him as capable. So where exactly did he mess that up?]

Yeah, okay. Fine.

You gonna bother to tell me what I did wrong before I leave? Aside from Connors, I mean.

I didn't know he'd come to the hospital. Really. I didn't mean fort he place to get wrecked-- I'll pay for the damages as much as I can.

I messed that up, but

That's no reason to be a jerk.

[Or maybe it was.

There. That was the best he could do, though. If Dr. Banner wrote him off, then fine. He'd stop bugging the guy by replying.

He'd done his required job by inquiring after Peter's health. Nothing else would have to be said.]

You did nothing wrong. Given the circumstances, you were doing the best you could.

[The one who was wrong is Buce himself. He knew the risks, knew the danger, but yet he had still went in and put everybody there at risk.

He messed up bad, and Bruce knows this all too well.]

I'm sorry for everything. I don't blame you for leaving if you want to.

[He knows that once you see the monster, that's all you'll ever see. Bruce won't blame Peter for wanting to leave. Its the logical thing to do.]

[Ugh. Well there went the last stewing vestiges of his rage. Apologies take that right down a notch, and he's back to simply moping, being moody and a little bit sharp.

Lucky you, Bruce.]

Then why'd you just leave me there? You and your friend.

[Might as well get to the point.

He's harbouring a little bit of a secret hope that this answer won't be filled with fantastic amounts of fail, Dr. Banner. Please.]

I passed out right after turning back. Its one of the side effects of my... condition.

[And that is the truth, as much of an excuse as it seemed to be.]

Tony probably missed you when he came to get me - he gets an alert whenever I change. I usually try to be away from people when it happens, so he didn't think that anyone would be around.

[Peter read over that three times before deciding it was honest. That he believed it and that... well. Okay.

Fair enough.

He understood that.

It took him another few minutes to decide that maybe since that explanation hadn't been so bad, others could... well, they couldn't hurt, anyway. Probably.

It takes him to the very apex of his ability to be mature to write back;]

...so were you thinking lunch, or dinner?

[Somehow, Bruce had given him a reasonable excuse for what he'd thought was inexcusable behavour. So Peter, in return, would give him the benefit of the doubt.]

[Bruce lets out a sigh of relief at the reply. He had--well, he had almost been certain that he lost Peter, so this is... a relief, for one. Things at least don't seem to be as bad now.]

Either is fine. You can pick.

[And here he hopes that he doesn't screw this up.]

Dinner then.

[You're going to have to pick the date, Bruce. Let's see some commitment, here. Peter's giving you the benefit, but he's still not happy; moody teenager is go. Hope you're ready for the most awkward dinner of all time.]

[It's okay, Bruce can deal with awkward. Somewhat. He's awkward incarnate himself.]

This weekend, when you're more healed?

Sounds good.

No worries; this bandaid I found is working out great.

[Can't help the snark. He'll feel sorry about it later, but not now.]

Sunday, then.

[Gives him a little more time not to lose his cool and to heal up his ~~fragile~~ ego.]

[Ow. Yeah, that snark stings a little, but Bruce supposes that he deserves it. And honestly, being snarked at isn't as bad as some of the other things that's been done to him.]

Sunday it is. I'll see you then, Peter.

OK.

Later, Dr. Banner.

[He didn't feel right about this by a long shot... but some explanation, belated as it was, was better than nothing.]

❧ INBOX || IC/OOC Contact

[TEXT] -- A day and a half later;;;

text; Peter /deadcats

[TEXT] -- he's so hurtmad;;;

text; sob he didn't mean it

[TEXT] -- o-orz

text; this is going well

[TEXT] -- Awesomely, yeah.

text; and now we know the reason why Tony tries to get Bruce laid

[TEXT] -- it might actually be a good thing.

text; ...yeah no

[TEXT] -- he needs some confidence though sob;;;

text; /face in hands

[TEXT] -- /patpat >:

text; Bruce is so bad at this I don't even know

[TEXT] It's okay, so is Peter. >:

text; OTL

[TEXT]

text;

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