( wiidxw | continued ) “How long has it been since you last slept?”
She glances upward to Bruce at the question, and it does take her a moment longer than usual to focus on him. Red curls are tied up in a tangled bun, her usual care with her appearance abandoned. Natasha is sure that he will have noticed the bags under her eyes as well, and wishes that she had the energy to fake it.
”It doesn’t matter.”
❝ I like to think it does. ❞
She’s far from put together, but Natasha’s no porcelain doll. She’s steel and plexi-glass and carbon polymers Bruce just tends to be a pro at noticing points of wear and erosion. He’s a bit of a seasoned machine, himself, as he takes a seat in the quiet kitchen. He swears he can hear his joints creaking like rusty gears, grinding through the early hours of the morning. Bruce doesn’t sleep much, either. But being tired-looking comes naturally nowadays. ❝ Got a busy mind keeping you up? ❞
( It’s a sensitive topic. His work for SHIELD has made him do things that he isn’t proud of - but he never does them without question. It was something Phil Coulson used to promise him - he could always question. And he had, much of the time.
He raises a brow.)
”Seriously - two years? Aw, man. Hey, if the big guy likes cotton candy, I could keep it around for him.”
( Despite the jovial tone, it’s a serious offer. )
"I, uh - "
( He scuffs his foot along the floor. )
"Got a bit banged up, last mission. Didn’t go to medical. I was wondering if you could, uh - “
( He stares at the ground. )
"Tell me if I need stitches?"
( that’s one thing bruce has learned not to be in his travels, at least not intentionally is reckless. disguising wounds and picking hands that are convenient for the moment. he used to know what situations were the least safe or most stubborn and chase them down out of bruce’s own need to prove something to himself. of course, once again, himself and clint are of different mindsets. while bruce would never skip out on a trip to medical… he supposes other men have their reasons. still, his head shakes and proceeds to bob in a subtle gesture towards the hallway for clint to follow him down to the labs. ) ❝ I’ll take a look. But not here I’d rather work in a sterile space. Come on. ❞
