027 // Video; She's totally going to regret this.

[always_thewoman]

So - who's got a deep dark secret they're just dying to unburden themselves of? Come, now, I'm reasonably certain there must be at least one or two of you out there. There may never again be an opportunity for such perfect honesty. Speaking of -

Gabriel, dearest - how hard are you kicking yourself for accepting this job right about now?

Comments

[video]

[gammapulsed]

[...Oh lord, does that urging to wordvomit mean he's affected? asdlfkakwefalwef Thank goodness for tiny loopholes.]

I can honestly say I've got no secrets I'm dying to share with people. So. I'll just. Leave you to your own devices.

[video]

[always_thewoman]

[She looks almost amused]

What horrible truths could you possibly have? Other than... the obvious.

[Aaaand she just realizes what she's said. This is what she gets for being so damned snippy. She looks a bit thrown.]

Feel free to focus on the 'could possibly' portion of that statement. My apologies; it's rather difficult to avoid interrogatives, I've found.

[video; private]

[gammapulsed]

[Flail and he just barely manages to throw on a filter before he can't hold back anymore.]

Well, there's the fact of my sporadic green episodes, the fact it was my own stupid fault for them in the first place, my massive issues with my father, the reason I can't stand seeing anyone post while drunk out of their mind, or that face I haven't had sex in almost six years.

[...There are. No words. For the utter. Horror on Bruce's face right now.]

..................Ohmygod.

[video; private]

[always_thewoman]

[Irene looks JUST AS THUNDERSTRUCK by these admissions. Of course, the first thing she comments on is-]

Well, that needs to change.

[Wait, Irene. There is serious business here. She shakes her head lightly to keep from being distracted, then regards Bruce again]

I'm... really very sorry to've forced your hand like that. Do you - that is, I hope at least you might feel better for having gotten that off your chest.

Re: [video; private]

[gammapulsed]

[kjJHASIUDFHOAIUGWEFKJLAWNPEOFUG7Q2PIUKJ;QM2N3LFIUBASLK,MDASDUFIAOAWKLEFM,AKLJF.

...Damn, Bruce, most people couldn't possibly make some of those noises. Oh, dear, is this what an aneurysm feels like?] No, thank you, that's. [Blushing so hard, his face might just combust.] ...Right, I'm j-just. Not talking about that. Not right now, or. You know. P-possibly ever.

And. ...No, n-not really, no, with the. Feeling better, in fact. I might be. Maybe not sick, but definitely feeling as if.

...I, um. ...If you could. Please, please, please not, ah. Share those? Any of them? Please?

[video; private] Bruce Banner, the celibate scientist! Also - she is almost tempted to... HUG. WTF.

[always_thewoman]

[She's at a bit of a loss for words in the face of this utter Bruce-combustion]

I won't. [She hazards a tiny smile] And I believe I can be counted on to be honest in my promises, given the circumstance.

[She's quiet for a moment as she tries to think of something comforting to say. Given that she's a cold-hearted bitch half the time, it takes her a little bit to figure out the whole 'comforting' bit.]

We're none of us perfect, Bruce. And from what it sounds like, you've had your fair share of hardship to temper anything you might feel guilty about.

[video; private] MOST OF THAT TIME WASN'T BY CHOICE. ...seriously wtf. irene and HUGS? wtf.

[gammapulsed]

[He'd smile back if, you know. His head wasn't flopping back into his hands. He hates intensely dislikes everything so much right now.] Thank you.

Right, uh. Pretty sure it doesn't exactly work like that, but. Whatever, let's just. Pretend I didn't say anything there.Oh, good lord.]

[video; private] Irene is pitching a fit in my headspace. "I DO NOT HUG."

[always_thewoman]

All right.

[There's a lapse, as Irene leans back into her chaise, looking thoughtful]

I feel compelled to offer - [She pauses for a moment, considering] It seems only fair that I give you the opportunity to question me, if you'd like to.

[video; private] Bruce: ...It's not like hugging is a bad thing. I mean. I don't do it much but.

[gammapulsed]

[He looks. Almost confused by that. That seems almost... Nice for Irene.]

Oh, uh. [Shakes head.] That's okay. I'm good, you know, with the whole. Not knowing. I mean, thank you for the offer, but. No thank you.

[video; private] I checked in my head. She's the least likely to hug muse I have.

[always_thewoman]

[She inclines her head graciously, but doesn't say anything more on the subject, secretly relieved. Suddenly, a thought occurs to her]

I now believe I understand at least part of the reason Stark is so keen to insert himself in your affairs. [That's polite-talk for BE A DOUCHE. And play the 'Haaaaaave you met Bruce' game]