nouveau_amerika | (no subject)

(no subject)

WHO: Bruce Banner, Anna Dominguez
WHAT: SURPRISINGLY NOT PORN. YET. Basically, Jack pushed and pushed and argued and argued until Bruce hulkified. Whoops. SOMEONE has to calm him down.
WHERE: sewers of New America
WHEN: Not long after he arrives
WARNINGS: Violence, probably swearing, etc.

In the end, Anna had known a confrontation was coming. Jack was the one who rescued her from the sewers but she was inexplicably drawn to Bruce. Everyone had begun to assume that she and Jack would wind up together and lead the Resistance, but Anna could truthfully say that her heart had never really belonged to Jack. They were friends, partners – not lovers. Never lovers.

Unfortunately, Jack thought of her differently.

She’d heard the shouting from her tent; heard Jack’s voice getting louder, more belligerent. She’d left her tent and rounded the corner just in time to see Jack’s fist connect with Bruce’s jaw, and from there, things…went downhill.

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Bruce had tried. He really did, you know? Jack had never been his best friend and he could live with that. The other Misfits had accepted him graciously and well, you can't please everyone right? Needless to say, Jack never kept his dislike of Bruce a secret.

He never really understand why Jack didn't like him. Not until he had backed Bruce into a corner and began shouting at him. This was about Anna, it had always been about Anna. He didn't know that Jack had feelings for her. If he had, maybe things would've ended diffferently. Bruce certainly didn't want to make things worse in a place he was going to be calling home at least for the next little while.

But he was in far too deep to turn back now. He liked Anna. Quite a bit, in fact, and as far as he was concerned, she felt the same way. Except, Jack wasn't listening to reason, while he was backing Bruce against that wall. He wasn't listening to Bruce when he was telling Jack things were about to get ugly. By the time he realized what was happening, it was too late. He cradled his jaw, eyes pinched shut against the pain. When he opened them, everything was static.

“Jack! Jack, let him go--!” Anna was there in an instant, wrapping her arms around her partner and dragging him physically away from Bruce. She was stronger than him; always had been, and she supposed it had something to do with her Misfit blood. Normally, she hated what she was and what she could become, but at this present moment she was thankful that she had the strength to pull a full grown, adrenaline fueled man off of someone she cared about.

Not realizing that their argument had turned into white noise in Bruce’s ears, Anna shouted at Jack, gestured wildly. Told him to back off. Leave, stop pursuing her. They were friends, nothing more – never would be more.

Her back to Bruce, she kept a firm hand on Jack’s chest as he glared at her, eyes almost feral.

No wait. He wanted to say it, would've said it if he could vocalize. He had tried to put his hand out, to stop Anna from coming any closer, but it was too late. She was too close and he couldn't stop it. The seams of his shirt began to rip, to make room for his expanding chest and growing arms.

His hand - his large green hand - punched the wall, dented the brick behind him and he growled as his body twisted and grew and changed. Hopefully, it would be enough warning so Anna could get away; what was left of Bruce could only hope.

And just like that, it was done. The Hulk stood at his full height, massive hands curled into tight fists. He bared his teeth and howled.

The rip caught her attention first – Anna’s hearing was keen; if there was a noise at all, she would hear it. Catlike reflexes had her whirling around and staring in slack jawed wonder and horror as she watched the quiet, fairly mild-mannered scientist she knew as Bruce change into something else.

Brick – one of their supports – crumbled beneath the strength of his hand and Anna realized that it wasn’t just her people that might be in danger, but their entire underground support system, as well.

“Jack, run.” Her voice was soft, so very quiet and at first, Jack didn’t want to comply. He didn’t want to leave her alone in the company of this thing that the outsider had turned in to – despite the fact that Bruce isn’t all that dissimilar to Anna herself, and any number of other Misfits. But the howl – that had Jack backing up a step, until Anna turned to him, amber eyes flashing and narrowing into cat-like slits, and screamed—

“I said run!”

The Hulk is all rage. Where Bruce would be peaceful and order, the Hulk was destruction and chaos. He didn't care if the support system collapsed. As far as the creature was concerned, that was exactly what he wanted.

It was fortunate Jack heeded Anna's warning. He was going to be the intended target of his rampage. But with him gone, Bruce turned his attention elsewhere. Thankfully, not on the petite woman with the catlike eyes.

His hand reached into the ground, cracking the cement and pulling out the largest piece of rock he could get a grip on. He reared back with it, ready to throw it. The target was no one in particular. Just the camp at large. And then he ran - leapt - into the camp's center. The people scattered and the rampage continued.

Without even a second thought, Anna shifted. It’s second nature to her now, thanks to her training, and the rip and tear of her own clothing echoed in her ears; a changing and morphing body left what she had been wearing in tatters on the ground. It was second nature – instinct, even – to make the shift at the first sign of trouble and there was certainly trouble aplenty at the moment.

Sprinting, Anna headed right after him, bouncing over cracked pavement and debris as she chased after him. This was a nightmare – a nightmare spawned by her own foolish, girlish fancies and by Jack’s over protectiveness and jealousy. Unable to speak in this form, then only thing that Anna could do was to jump in front of him, knocking people out of harms way and grip at the ground with her claws. Her eyes met his, and she could only hope there would be a flash of recognition – anything to stop him from continuing.

The Hulk is very much focused on his rage right now. The people he had bonded with, became friends with? Were nothing more than fragments in the Hulk's mind, people of no consequence. They were things, in the way. They needed to be moved. He stomped his foot, splintering the cement beneath him and he growled fiercely.

And he would've moved them too, had not this...what was this standing in front of him? The Hulk's expression was hard and hands ready to smash. But soon he softened, arms falling limp at his sides. There was recognition. He had seen this...thing before and she was important. Dropping to his knees, he leaned forward, green eyes searching. Then finally he spoke, one word in a low gravelly voice. "Anna."

There was absolutely no question that Anna was terrified – Bruce had morphed into something that was a far cry from his original, quiet self. He was no longer her scientist, her friend, her maybe something more someday – he was brutality at its worst, strength at its strongest. He wasn’t something Anna can battle and survive, but she was willing to take the chance, protect her people, slow Bruce down and hopefully save them both.

Panting from her sprint and aching from body slamming people aside, she looked up at him, amber eyes wide and fearful – then started to purr.

The purring is unexpected and startles the creature. But just for a moment. It's actually quite nice to listen to. With a bit of an unceremonious flop, he sits and draws his knees up to listen. Anna has succeeded in her mission to soothe the beast and protect her people. The Hulk is calm and watching Anna intently.

His eyes grew heavy with each moment that passed. The Hulk's eyes soon close and he inhales deeply through his nose. When he exhales, his body began to shrink. The green faded, the muscles shrank and packed back down into the skinny scientist. Bruce slumped and tipped over onto his side. He was exhausted and being awake was the last thing he wanted right now.

She watched him carefully, eyes focusing on his movements as he hits the ground with such a ‘flop’ that it feels a little like her teeth rattle in her head. But as soon as she saw that he was beginning to change back; muscles retracting back into her scientist, Anna ventures closer, and curls around him to protect him while he sleeps. No matter the threat, they protect their own and Bruce was no exception. No harm would come to him while he slept, Anna would be sure of it.

Eventually a few souls brave enough to assist her helped get him up and back into her tent and under a blanket. Still a tiger, Anna stayed pressed tightly against his side, providing warmth and a solid form until he wakes up.

It is some hours before Bruce finally began to stir. He felt the brush of fur against his side as he moved and turned to see. His smile was weak. She was here beside him, even after the terrible things he was sure he had done. That thing was a menance and this was just one more reason to get rid of it. He never wanted Anna to see him that way.

With no small amount of difficulty, Bruce pushed himself up and looked around to take in his surroundings. Her tent. He recognized it, spent quite a bit of time in it. How long had it been? How much time had he lost? He would ask Anna when she realized he was awake. For now, though, he would just lie back down and let the weariness run its course.

Anna woke when he moved, too alert to truly be asleep. Still, her eyes rested on her paws as she watched him carefully, eyes following his every movement. When he came to lay back down, she finally made her wakefulness known.

Sitting up, she let him settle back in before she flopped back down and rested her big head on his chest, eyes on his.

Hi, Bruce. Anna is watching you.

Well that's a surprise. Not an unpleasent one, mind. Bruce smiled and pet her briefly on her head. It was such a relief to have her here, to know that she hadn't abandoned him.

"Hey. I'm sorry about...that thing."

That was not who he was. That was not who he wanted to be.

Anna shook her head and huffed quietly, internal motor cutting on as she started to purr.

No apologies. They all had troubles. Anna has her own inner demons from when she could not control herself. Bruce…is different, but not so dissimilar that she cannot understand.

She does, probably far more than he truly realizes and understands.

Perhaps. Still it's hard to find it comforting that she's not upset. Bruce wanted so badly to be rid of the Hulk that it was hard to find comfort in much of anything. Everyone down here could be accepting of their gifts, but how could he? When his "gift" was too far beyond his control? It was a curse and it needed to be gone.

"Was...anyone hurt?" He already knew a few people he needed to apologize to. But if there was more, he'd rather get it all done in one go.

Another shake of her head - no. No one was hurt. Not really, anyway - a few scrapes, but overall...no injuries. The building was in bad shape, though.

With a huff of a sigh, Anna slowly pulls herself from his side and gives him a little nuzzle.

She needs to go shift, and put clothes on - otherwise, she'll shift and be naked before Bruce and God.

Good. Bruce sank back against the pallet and sighed heavily. "I'm sorry, Anna," he said finally, shifting again to look at her. He had said it once already, but it bore repeating.

He was dangerous enough. Staying here, underground was a bad idea. How could he have ever thought he could fit in here?

Anna gives him a look, then presses her head to his side and grunts before disappearing around a corner.

A few minutes pass and she reappears, dressed and coming to sit at his side.

Bruce didn't expect her to come back. He hoped she would. But wouldn't be surprised or upset if she didn't.

When she returns, he pushes himself up. "I shouldn't be here."

Anna watches him in silence, amber eyes watching his every move. She doesn't say anything for or against his statement, only looks at him, eyes sad and afraid. She doesn't want him to go. She doesn't want him to leave.

But if he chooses, she cannot stop him. That would be taking away his free will, and that is something Anna would never do.

He just wanted her to be safe. This was proof that Bruce didn't do well in tight spaces. Yes it's true, Jack shouldn't have hit him. But Bruce should've worked harder to keep the Other Guy under control.

Bruce had wanted to move, so he could pack and get going to the city above. But he didn't have the heart to move. Not when she was so close to him. Instead, he reached a hand out and touched her arm so he could meet her gaze.

Anna looks up when he reaches out, and she takes his hand in turn.

Then she's suddenly flinging her arms around him and kissing him, embrace loose enough should he want to break it but tight enoug to let him know she'd rather he didn't.

The kiss comes as a surprise. There was no denying the tension between them. Everyone saw it. It was the reason Jack had punched him and the reason Bruce had nearly crushed them all under the foundation of their underground home.

But he is responding, despite the trouble it would cause in their camp. He didn't want to let her go. Even though his heart was beginning to race. Just a little more. That's all he needed.

It surprised Anna, too. She hadn't meant to - kissing Bruce would undeniably cause complications and even more tension than there already was.

She couldn't stop herself, though. She didn't want to stop it.

Arms tight around him, Anna deepens it, just a bit, tongue teasing past his lips to tangle with his.

He presses her close with one arm, while he lifts the other had to cup her face.

But his heart begins to thump harder in his chest and the Hulk is stirring in the back of his mind.

As much as he doesn't want to let her go, he knows he has to. So he pulls back. "I'm sorry. This...we can't do this."

Anna's own heart hammers in her chest as well. Grip tight on him, she moves to deepen it, only to find air instead of Bruce.

"I--"

Her arms drop, loose by her sides as her face reflects horror and turns red with humiliation.

"I...I am sorry. Forgive me, I shouldn't have assumed--"

Bruce sits up, puts his hand on her cheek and shakes his head. This is one thing he has to make clear right now.

"It's not you. It's..." He makes a vague gesture toward his head. "I can't get too excited."

Anna is confused for a few moments before tipping her head into his hand and releasing a soft sigh of realization.

"...Oh."

Now she understood, and she didn't feel nearly so embarrassed about her actions.

"Of...of course. That is fine." She can live with that. She'll deal.

He smiles faintly. He was never going to meet someone who understood him like she did. He looks away for a moment.

"Are you...would you consider this. With me?" It'd take a lot of patience and a lot figuring things out. But this was what he wanted. She was what Bruce wanted.

She lifts a hand and cups his face, fingertips gently brushing over his cheekbone.

"Of course." She blushes a little. "I would not have kissed you otherwise."

Bruce smiles and lifts her hand to his lips. Good. Good.

"Guess we better not tell Jack." At least not right away.

"Not yet." That much she can agree too. "He needs time to cool down. To...come to terms with what he already knows. We will tell him later, when he is not so angry."

And isn't likely to punch Bruce again.

Bruce nods. He knows Jack will never like him now. He didn't want to pursue a friendship. But he would've at least liked to be civil with Jack.

They didn't need another incident.

"I can put off working on that machine." And focus on making life down here somewhat comfortable. Maybe a cooling system?

"I would not want you to give up hope on returning home..." Which is mostly a bold faced lie - the more she's around Bruce, the more she wants him to stay. In the same breath, she knows that it must be hard for him here, being where he knows no one. He isn't even in his own time - or 'universe'.

"If I go back, I want you to come with me."

What an incredibly selfish thing to say. But it was the truth. Bruce wanted her to stay with him, no matter where he lived. If she couldn't leave here, then neither could he.

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