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[catalysmic]

[At least it makes for a good landmark. Bruce is clearly matching her pace which feels frustratingly slow between the darkness and the sharpness of the ground. The soles of her feet are soft and stupid, but at least a cut for her would only be that. More than once, he directs her around some invisible obstacle before navigating around it himself with a thoughtless grace. There's a physicality that doesn't come out for things like science conferences, that he picked up in their years apart, that sometimes still surprises her.

So her mostly-naked superhero boyfriend is a little too hot when he's not trying to be, but it's a good distraction, it's something safe to focus on. She keeps her thoughts to herself and her hand in his, urging her feet to step it up a bit.]

Yes, [she decides after finding her third spiderweb with her face.] You have to pick a side. Werewolves or vampires, Bruce?

[The woods rise around them as they continue downward, primordial and shadowed and not very Eden-like in the end.]

[hyperkinesia]

[ It's a ridiculous conversation, not the least bit serious, but at least the dark can't swallow their words so long as they keep talking. Makes the walk a little easier too, and it helps distract Bruce from how some of his muscles still spasm and whine in pain and soreness.

He'll have time to rest later on. Now's not that time, though.

He sighs, hums quietly and looks up like he's giving it some serious thought. Finally, he shrugs. ]

Werewolves, then. Closer to dogs. [ It's a totally legitimate reason. ]

[catalysmic]

The judges will allow it on account of... we really should have seen it coming.

[It gets less creepy as they go along. Less creepy, more boring. Still arguing the relative merits of modifications to monsters in popular fiction, they change direction together when there's a hint of artificial light in the distance. It turns out to be a modern cabin with a hint of winding driveway, and two cars parked out front.

In this light, Bruce looks more tired than he had sounded when they'd been walking, but Betty expects it's the same for her. She squares her shoulders and kisses his cheek.] Well, it's not made out of candy. I'll get the bell.

[hyperkinesia]

[ Bruce chuckles a little tiredly, walking alongside her, and welcoming the distraction of their conversation as they make their way through the woods. The hint of light offers a promise of civilization, although as they get closer to that house, Bruce can't help a tinge of worry that grows steadily with each step.

What happened must've made the news by now, and he wonders if the Hulk's been mentioned at all. What's been said about his involvement. Should he be thinking of running away? Is asking for help one big mistake? He knows these days most people see him as a good guy, but he's still done a lot of bad things. Some people are still scared of the monster, and rightfully so.

Still, he smiles at Betty, nodding and waiting a few steps behind her, a little more hidden as he keeps himself away from the light that filters out of the house when the door opens. ]

???

[catalysmic]

[She's not as cautious and not as worried he'll be recognized; even with his previous reputation, he doesn't look much like his more popular merchandise and the two of them enjoyed relative anonymity in the past. Maybe not for midnight strolls through the woods, but... she should have known not to underestimate fans.]

Hi sweetie, can you get your parents? [she tries on the little girl who is much too young to be opening the door to strangers in the middle of the night, even in the middle of nowhere. Maybe especially in the middle of nowhere.

Her (younger?) sister seems to have the same idea, tearing away into the house announcing at the top of her lungs that Amber has broken the rules. Somewhere between bemused and nonplussed, it takes Betty a moment to realize Amber isn't answering because she's staring past her through the crack of the door, eyes wide and mouth round.

Oh no. How naked is he?

Too naked for an eight ear old*. She whirls around just as heavier footsteps reach the door and pull it wide open, but before she can even begin to explain, she's interrupted.

"Daddy, daddy, it's the Hulk!" Amber drags someone, presumably 'daddy,' to the front door.

"It's the Hulk! It's the Hulk!" her sister takes up the chant, previous enmity forgotten.

Betty opens her mouth and then closes it again.

The middle-aged man at the door meets Betty's eyes and they exchange an unspoken what do we do as first one and then the other little girl attempt to launch themselves at her practically-naked boyfriend and attempt to drag him forward.

"You have to lend him your clothes, daddy!" yells Amber, who is clearly the ringleader in all this. "He tore them up when he," followed by a credible imitation of a roar and some stomping.]

He is Dr. Bruce Banner, [Betty tries again, amidst the high-pitched roaring** that follows, and the man shakes his head and offers Bruce his hand, while Betty attempts to disentangle the girls.

"Annie, Amber, leave the poor man alone. Oh, I know. My eldest has a poster in her room," he adds, a little grimly. "She bought it off the Internet, god knows where. Unfortunately, she's not here tonight." He nearly smiles. "We're never going to hear the end of it.***" The almost smile drops and his gaze sharpens. To Bruce, "About four hours ago. The Corris Center. That was you guys?"


* Amber and Annie are fraternal twins, and look between 10 and 12. Betty sucks at this game.
** There may also be further enthusiastic commentary on Bruce's wardrobe situation. It's okay. Bruce can take it.
*** The older sister is probably a teenager, but you can't fault her tastes in mild-mannered alter-egos. ;) ]