thisavrou_log | ( open ) it's been so long since I've been gone

Entry tags:

( open ) it's been so long since I've been gone

Who: Bruce Banner and anyone
When: April 1st to 3rd, give or take
Where: All around the Moira
What: Bruce comes back after a 3-day nap on a cryo unit, but with over a year worth of memories. From his perspective, it's been a good while since he's been on the Moira.
Warnings: Nudity, an old man accidentally flashing a minor. (Whoops.) Also NSFW for sex in one thread.
( a note: I'm good with both brackets and prose, so just pick whichever you prefer and I'll match! )

WAKE UP; CLOSED TO ZATANNA.

He wakes up with a startle, but it doesn't show. He's just so used to controlling every aspect of himself that when the unit brings him back from his stasis with a jolt, he barely moves. His eyes open, there's a soft silent gasp, but he lies there for a while, letting the cold envelop him little by little, and the memories of his surroundings slowly trickle into his mind.

It takes him a while. It's been over a year since he's been here, and he didn't even remember any of his time here for all the while that he was back in his world. Not even a dream, a ghost of a recollection, just... a complete blank. As if his life had never really stopped, as if he'd never truly been kidnapped into a spaceship on an alternate universe to begin with.

He knew that it was highly likely this is how it would happen when someone goes back home, of course, but one thing is to know or theorize what happens, another thing entirely is to experience it firsthand.

Eventually, he climbs out of the unit, but he doesn't go too far. Still clinging to the edge, cold feet touch the hard metallic floor, his knees nearly giving in under the weight of his own body, and when he glances down, he realizes he's completely naked. Shivering from the cold, little droplets hanging from the tips of his short hair, he looks around, trying to spot some clothes or even just a towel to wrap himself up in.

WANDER; CLOSED TO OBI-WAN.

After the initial shock of waking up, and now wearing a pair of pants and shoes, he's slipped on a hospital gown from the medbay and stepped outside. The objective here is to find his way to his room as soon as possible, to try and figure out what's going on right now, how long he's been gone exactly— who even is around still. He's thinking of a particular someone, actually, but the fear that he won't find Trish's name on the directory is too great for him to even think of checking.

First things first, though: he needs to figure out which way his deck is. All it takes is a couple of wrong turns down a hallway and he realizes he completely lost his way. He's not usually the kind to get lost, but he's ascribing it to the haze in his mind, the disorientation from waking up just a few minutes ago.

He starts glancing around instead, trying to find someone. Hearing footsteps nearby, he walks towards them in hopes that whomever it is, they'll help him find his way again.

REUNITE; CLOSED TO TRISH.

With some details cleared out, some questions asked and answered, and a quick read over the MID and whatever information he can get his hands on, his mind focuses on the next thing to do. He needs to find Trish. He goes back to his room, takes a warm shower and puts on some fresh clothes, feeling marginally better when he steps back outside, short hair and beard both looking impeccable and far less messy than the tangle of curls Trish would normally be familiar with.

It's a strange thing, how this works. He didn't even remember meeting her for that whole year he was gone, but now that he's back here, he realizes just how terribly he missed her, and how scared he is that any memories he has of her can be erased from his mind so easily. It should scare him enough to not want to do anything about it, but it's the opposite, actually. Something about having love and lost, probably.

He distinctly remembers quoting a line from a movie at her that directly relates to the sentiment. The point is, he feels as if he's been given a second chance, and Bruce doesn't get those. Not ever.

The problem is in finding her, though. He goes to her room but it's empty, he tries the radio station but she's not there, he sticks to the most popular areas of the ship, such as the mess hall, the gardens, the recreation room, but she's nowhere to be found. His heart clenches a little in his chest; maybe there's an error in the directory. Maybe she's not really on board, or maybe it's a different Trish Walker. He pushes the crippling worry away, though, and instead starts tapping on his MID, not even looking ahead as he keeps walking down the hallway, much too focused on sending her a text instead.

REACCLIMATE; OPEN.

Bruce used to think getting brought to a spaceship in an alternate universe was the strangest thing to happen to him, but he's quickly revising his opinion. This whole cryostasis experience has been something else entirely, and the sleep part isn't even the weirdest. The weirdest is what's happened on a mental level, and how he experienced over a year of memories in the span of three days.

He has to catch up on some things now, or rather, he has to refresh his memory. He walks the hallways and drops by the most active areas of the ship with curiosity, watching places and people alike, spends hours in the science department rereading files and looking over the work he himself did, slowly filling in any gaps and holes he has in his memory.

Some might have known he was in stasis for the past few days and want to check up on him, some might find the short hair and beard a strange change, either way he looks very approachable no matter where one might find him. Probably even more approachable than he did before.

Or, if he's familiar enough with someone and recognizes their face easily, he might just be the one to go over to them, greeting them with a smile and a hello.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Eggsy shrugs off the change in Bruce's hair, figures he just got a trim or something, but he'd been in cryo a couple days and that means Eggsy should bother him. Make sure he's doing alright. He also wanted to tell his best mate about his knew job and the skills that the captain had magicked into him.

"Hey, bruv. How're you?"

He's coming out the rec area after a swim, a towel wrapped around him like a blanket.

"Been meanin' to track you down."

Maybe plan another time to hang out, do something, because he'd told his new roommate James that Bruce was his best friend, but he hasn't been treating Bruce like that. Not visiting or texting him like he should. He's looking to change all that.

Bruce slows down just as he passes by the rec area, hearing and easily recognizing Eggsy's voice, despite all the time that's passed (for him, anyway). There's an instant smile shaping up in his features, a hint of sadness when he looks over and realizes he's missed Eggsy quite a lot.

"Eggsy. It's... it's really good to see you."

Hugging him out of the blue seems a little weird, not to mention that Bruce really isn't the kind to hug people like that, not at all. He settles for allowing himself to step a little closer than usual, letting Eggsy into his personal space, and hopes that's enough to convey what he's feeling.

"How have you been? It's been a while."

Over a year for him, even. 'A while' is putting it lightly.

"Been okay, yeah? You ain't gonna believe what happened, bruv."

Eggsy leans in towards Bruce, tugging on the ends of his towel, a pleased flush creeping across his cheeks and down the back of his neck.

"Got promoted since the last time we talked. Ship's first Vet."

He stands up straighter, bouncing on his heels.

"Was talkin' to one of the captains about it and they can make you smart? Like whatever you wanna know, so now I know how to be a vet."

Eggsy intends to earn it though, to put effort into the skills he was given so it's not just been handed to him.

Bruce looks impressed and admittedly surprised at the first words, eyebrows arching just so. As Eggsy goes on to explain, he listens in silence, nodding with a good amount of interest.

A little bit of distrust too, he can't help it. He has to wonder how exactly the captains are capable of doing something like that, and if that new knowledge comes at the expense of something, or if Eggsy might even suffer some consequence in the future. But he doesn't say any of that, not when Eggsy's clearly so pleased with the promotion. He can't bring himself to rain on his parade.

"That's great, Eggsy. Congratulations. I'm really happy for you." And he does mean that, at least. Part jokingly, he adds. "I'll have to come by with Banner sometime. Pretty sure he needs his shots, anyway."

Eggsy actually hadn't considered any of that before jumping head first into doing it. He probably should have, definitely should have, but for whatever reason, he'd gone through with it without thinking of the future.

"Thanks, bruv."

He shuffles his feet, nudging Bruce with the side of his arm.

"Was thinkin' about doin' somethin' for all the kittens, but there's so many of 'em wanderin' around now. Wish we could turn the tree off for a bit."

He loved them but he's pretty sure the crew all had two or three each.

Leave it to Bruce to be paranoid about every single possibility in any given scenario. Then again, in their current situation, he feels like he has very good reason for it, so technically it's not really paranoia.

"The number seems to be growing too," he nods. He's noticed, and considering they're in an enclosed space, it can become a problem pretty soon— and very few in the crew seem to be thinking about this potential issue.

"I've thought about giving some away for adoption whenever we stop on nicer planets. That could be a good idea to relieve the large number of feline inhabitants on board, and possibly contribute towards a more positive first impression, and hopefully friendlier relations too. What do you think?"

"I don't see why not."

Eggsy hasn't thought of that. They've stopped on some shit planets, but also some not so bad ones, too. The kittens are small and stay small, they could probably use that as an incentive when finding them good homes.

"You know somethin', that sounds like a great idea. Might make the Moira look a little better and be a way to find the kittens a nice home."

He grins at Bruce, shaking his head a few times in amusement. He should have just talked to Bruce about this before.

"You really are smart, bruv. Smartest guy I know."

"We may as well start thinking about solutions for this before the kitten population on board becomes a real problem."

And he's pretty sure a number of people here wouldn't have quite as many issues with throwing a number of the pets into an airlock, if need be. The way things are going the number of kitties is bound to become an issue sooner rather than later, and worse still is that no one would be expecting it. It would come out of nowhere, and it would be another source for tension and animosity that would likely end badly for everyone on board, and even the ship itself.

He smiles a little, tipping his head down just so.

"Am I? That's— well, that's nice. Thanks."

He almost wants to say that Eggsy mustn't know a lot of people, but he does know he's smart, and he appreciates the compliment, bashful though it might make him feel.

"Where are you headed? Maybe we can catch up, if you've got the time?"

"I'll see about roundin' them up, count how many we've got, yeah? Maybe talk to Clark or someone in the gardens. Might be best if we can't find a way to slow down how many it grows."

If that were even possible, he had no idea. Not only did he know little of plants, it was from another universe. He'd just have to ask around.

"Y' welcome."

Eggsy shakes his head, shrugging slightly. His new job didn't really keep him too busy yet. There weren't enough animals on the ship to have Eggsy working all the time, but he was still setting up, which he could drag out if he was careful.

"Nowhere. Was just wastin' some time down here in the pool. Don't have any plans an' I've always got time for ya. Wanna hang out?"

"I'd advise asking Rosethorn, then. She has abilities linked to flora, and she can connect with all kinds of plants in a very profound way. She works at the gardens too, and she's extremely talented. If anyone can help you figure out that tree, it's her."

She might be able to slow down the process or even stop it altogether, who knows. Bruce wouldn't suggest killing the tree to her, though, since he knows that would likely upset her.

"Sure, that sounds nice. I wasn't going anywhere specific either. And it really has been a while for me since I've seen you."

He proceeds to explain, knowing that statement alone likely makes little sense to Eggsy.

"While I was in one of the cryo units, I went home. I was gone for over a year, from my perspective."

"Oh yeah. Rosethorn's a sweet bird. Met her a couple times. Didn't know she could do that stuff, but it definitely makes sense to ask her 'bout it."

Eggsy trusts Bruce's suggestions on this sort of stuff, so he makes a mental note to get in contact with Rosethorn. He likes the idea of getting the kitten tree to slow down, at least, but he doesn't want to kill it.

"Gone for over a year? Ya mean it's been that long since you've seen me?"

He can't quite wrap his head around any of that, but he's glad Bruce is here, even if it's been so long. Eggsy's face scrunches up as he considers that, and then he grins.

"Does that mean we missed your birthday? We should celebrate or somethin'."

"She's a plant mage. I think that's what it's called. Anyway, she's the person you want to talk to about that tree, definitely."

And if Eggsy doesn't want to kill it, then he'll find in Rosethorn a kindred spirit, someone who can feel even the plucking of a petal or trimming of a bush, and who would definitely not want the death of a plant, especially one of that size.

"That's right, yes. Long enough to miss you."

His own grin is a little more tense, and he huffs as he draws his shoulders together, then shakes his head.

"For the record, you missed my birthday even while I was on board. I just never really told anyone when it came up, a couple of months after I got here."

"Yeah, alright. I'll talk to her."

There's got to be someone on board that can help with the tree and Rosethorn seems like the best person to start with.

"You missed me?"

Eggsy huffs, and turns his head away like the idea of that is insane, his cheeks flushed and a pleased, lop-sided grin curves his mouth. He's a little put off that he hadn't realized that he'd missed Bruce's birthday, but he figures he can just make up for it now.

"You should've told me, yeah? Could've done somethin' for it. Please tell me you'll let me throw you a party or somethin'."

He steps in and places a hand on Bruce's shoulder.

"It'll be a lot of fun, promise."

"Of course I did. You're my friend."

Fair enough, he didn't remember any of this while he was home, but he remembered the moment he came back, and as far as he's concerned, that sentiment still meant something then.

"No, it's... it's fine. I've never really liked celebrating my birthday anyway."

Too many unpleasant memories, and considering his birthday on board was less than a month after he destroyed an entire planet, he was understandably far from being in a celebratory mood.

Eggsy isn't sure what to say at first. He's always considered Bruce a best mate, but hearing it from the other man was really nice.

"I'm glad you're back. Ain't had anyone to bother while you were out."

His eyes narrow, trying to determine why Bruce is turning the offer down. He doesn't want to pressure him or anything, but he does want the guy to know he wants to celebrate the day he was born.

"Only if you're sure. Maybe we can just celebrate on our own? The two of us."

"What? Lies. I'm sure you've got plenty of friends to pester around the ship. I mean— grace them with your wonderful company."

Just kidding, of course. His teasing tone and brief smile say as much.

"Is it really that important, that I celebrate?"

To him it isn't, rather the opposite, but he's starting to feel like it's important to Eggsy that he does. He presses his lips for a moment, then shrugs.

"We can do something, but it doesn't have to be a celebration. How's that?"

Eggsy rolls his eyes, folding his arms over his chest. He makes a huffing sound, mock frustration, but he's still smiling. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed Bruce until now.

"Please, Bruce. There's plenty of people to pester, but I would've preferred you."

He didn't know that it was necessarily important, he's sure Bruce has his reasons for not wanting to celebrate his birthday. It's more of Eggsy trying to show Bruce that he's important to him by doing something in honor of the day he was born.

"Yeah, alright. S' long as you know that in my head I'm celebratin'."

That came out weirder than he'd intended, but oh well. Eggsy shrugs, and reaches out to pat Bruce's arm.

"Let's do somethin' then. After I put some clothes on, yeah?"

"Right, because you like me so much, you just can't resist getting on my case."

There's no hint of annoyance in his tone there, he likes Eggsy too much to even act like he doesn't like having him around. And he appreciates the sentiment behind that odd phrasing, but he also appreciates that Eggsy doesn't insist on a party anymore.

"That would be preferable. Besides you might get a little cold if you stay like that."

"Ah, I was more thinkin' that you'd have to beat people off me if I keep on struttin' round like this."

Eggsy's got a brow raised and a teasing smile playing at his lips.

"Let me go change, yeah? Where should I meet you after?"

"Sounds more like a job for the other guy."

He regrets it the moment he says it, reminded of how the Hulk had killed Eggsy back in Caducus Primary. But he swallows it down and moves on, trying not to put too much weight to what he's just said, and hoping Eggsy won't get too upset by it.

"Mess hall, if that works for you? I still need to swing by my room, let... uh, someone know I'll be in a little later."

"Nah, you're tough enough on your own. Don't need 'im for this."

Eggsy's good at compartmentalizing, and he puts blame where it's due most of the time. He's had time to think about it all, dying and the Hulk, Bruce, too, and he doesn't blame Bruce for any of it.

"Yeah, sounds good." He steps away, only to pause and lift a brow. "Someone? Who you got waitin' for you in your room?"

Well, at least Eggsy takes it a little more easily than Bruce does just saying it, so there's that. He can live with feeling bad about it, as long as Eggsy's not bothered or upset.

And then the question comes. Of course it does, Bruce already knew that. Still, he smiles a little tensely, head dropping almost bashfully as if he's not really a man over his forties in a serious committed relationship, but just a kid with a crush.

"My girlfriend. It's... a story." Not a long story, though. "I'll tell you about it later?"

His girlfriend. For a moment, his face falls, he can't help it. Eggsy feels like a shit friend for not even knowing that Bruce had a girlfriend waiting for him.

"Yeah, alright."

Eggsy steps back, twisting around and walking backwards in the direction of his deck, a hand raised to gesture at the other man.

"Meet you in the mess hall in thirty. Unless you need longer than that."

Bruce can't really quite figure out where that expression comes from. It's only been a few days since he and Trish got together, after all, so as far as he knows there's no reason why Eggsy should know already. It's not like Bruce sought him out to tell him about it, so.

But he leaves that conversation for later, smiling faintly as he nods at Eggsy.

"Thirty's good. See you then," calling out as Eggsy starts walking away from him, then he turns around too, starting to make his way to his room, where he expects Trish to be.

"See you then, mate."

He can do a lot in thirty minutes, he figures, so he takes his time walking back to his room. Eggsy showers, gets dressed, looks around his room for a present to give Bruce, gives up, plays with JB, Stark, and the kittens. Looks for a gift again, gives up, fixes his hair, and heads towards the mess hall. He didn't have a whole lot, nothing that a guy like Bruce might want unless he needed a weapon or some Eggsy-sized clothes, and they didn't have a shop around for him to pick something up.

Sighing, he turns into the mess hall, looking for Bruce or anyone he might know until the man arrives.

( open ) it's been so long since I've been gone

reacclimate

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