The Baxter Building.

[hulksmashed]

Never thought he'd spend a significant amount of time here, and he certainly never thought it'd be because he had nowhere else to go. He'd dreamed of being able to collaborate with Reed Richards freely, scientists expanding their chosen fields

Comments

[doc_richards]

A head stretches into the lounge, followed by the rest of Reed's body once he sees what the source of the noise is. "Bruce! Welcome back."

It's always nice to see old friends.

"I haven't had a chance to hear about your abduction, yet - but we can discuss that later, if you prefer. How are you doing?"

[hulksmashed]

He manages a grin. Something about the greatest mind on earth being in that ridiculous stretchy body always amuses him.

"I'm all right, Reed. Thanks for letting us stay here. Circumstances are... well, as crazy as they usually are around me."

[doc_richards]

"It's no trouble at all, of course. I'm glad to see you're safe and sound, and you're always welcome here - though I can't promise our circumstances will be any less crazy.."

[hulksmashed]

He gives a shrug. It's too be expected. "I'd rather deal with the Mole Man than with the army again. With any luck, Betty's father will feel guilty enough about what happened that you won't have to deal with any governmental pressure for harboring us like this..."

[ex_living_t]

He can be heard from the hallway talking to himself.

"Damn stupid thing just won't fit under the goddamn hood. Gonna hafta -"

Stop. Look at eggheads conversing, including one that could use as much peace and quiet as life ever was going to offer. Reassess life's priorities, because, man, Bruce's life sucks. Well, except for Betty.

"Heya, folks, er, don't mind me."

[hulksmashed]

Bruce turns to look at the Torch. Kid still reminds him of Rick Jones here and there.

He takes the opportunity to put off talking about captivity again.

"Good to see you, Johnny. How's life treating you?"

[ex_living_t]

"I could use a date." The words just sort of fall out there. He's tried to get back into things, but after you've been very married for awhile it's just not that easy.

"And some more parts for the repairs I'm doing and a trip to Schotski's Deli if Sue doesn't have specific plans..." A pause in the rapid fire commentary. "You guys need food?"

[hulksmashed]

"I think Betty's scrounging in the kitchen. But if you're going there, bring me back a pastrami on wheat, heavy on the mayonnaise."

A glance toward the kitchen.

"And my wife is not available to be your date. Just so you know."

[nuttinbeatsrock]

Ben is in the kitchen! It, er, takes a lot of food to keep this puss lookin' perfectly poised and pretty!

He'd been keeping to himself as of late - there's been just a general aura of 'I'm thinking about stuff, and that means I'm probably not super-social'. This foray out into the rest of the building is definitely something that needed to happen and happen soon.

[bannerlover]

Eggs it is. Nothing fancy for Betty and Bruce. She looks behind her at the sound of footsteps and smiles a little. "Hi, you."

What do you say to someone who saved your life and, more importantly, the life of your husband?

[nuttinbeatsrock]

Ben will probably end up grilling burgers. Er, other folks can have them too. This means waiting till eggs are done.

"Hey, Betty. Things working out for you 'n Bruce so far here?"

Small talk is not quite Ben Grimm's forte.

[bannerlover]

"We haven't really settled in yet," Betty says as she stirs the eggs to make sure they don't burn on the bottom. Bacon's frying too. "I think we're just getting back to normal and eating and sleeping. Bruce has lost weight, and he was so thin to begin with... Ben, look, if I can ever do anything for you..."

Her voice almost cracks, and she clears her throat, busying herself with the food. "I owe you everything."

[hulksmashed]

"I'm honestly not sure I want the full and accurate picture of Namor's private life," Bruce responds to Reed as Ben enters the room.

[doc_richards]

Reed waves to Ben, smiling. "I'm certain if one of the media-hounds got too close, Namor would make sure it was a short-lived mistake. Hello, Ben."

[nuttinbeatsrock]

Ben enters, carrying food. There is a lot of it, as it seems Betty was pretty industrious. He starts setting it down.

"... See, here I think you guys are all talkin' smart, and I come in and you're gossipin' like two grannies gettin' your hair permed."

[hulksmashed]

"Sorry to disappoint, Ben. Is this better?"

A turn to Reed.

"Tetrazine polysorbate nucleotides catalyzing biopharmaceutical reactionary impulse quarks render dioxyribonucleic acetominophen pathogens unceremoniously inert, don't you agree?"

Egghead jokes - throw a bunch of big random words out and see if anyone catches on.

[ex_living_t]

"So, uh, you thinking of coming back to New York, then?"

[bannerlover]

"I don't think we've thought that far," Betty remarks as she fiddles with her food before starting to eat in small, delicate bites. "We're...probably, I don't know, pretty open to suggestions now."

[hulksmashed]

"This is temporary," Bruce pipes up, between mouthfuls.

"New York is far too populated for someone like me."

No, he's not saying he ain't cityfolk.

[bannerlover]

Betty pauses, fork in mid-air, to look at her husband. "Honey, there's no one like you." It's said with a smile. A compliment, to her thinking, but she assuredly knows what he means. "Besides, being here in New York isn't so bad if you're here and working with Dr. Richards, right? I'm sure he doesn't mind having company in the lab for a week or so while we figure out where to go."