starkingenuity | Radioactive

"From the information Stark has about this virus and the imagery I've seen, there's two things I can say with fair certainty. The first is that you've seem to have settled to a certain point, so you won't... explode. The second is that you could, at worst, burn him, but you wouldn't combust him. He should be able to get away from you if you start heating up that drastically quickly enough."

Hoping, even somewhat, to settle her fears.

Then, more quietly, "I think you're doing far more damage than a burn by staying away from him, Ms. Potts.""

Pepper flinches a little -- exploding was definitely oen of her biggest fears, but Bruce is right. She does seem stable enough to not spontaneously combust. If that was going to happen, it would have by now.

"I think you're right."

Risking it is just -- such a risk. But she knew she was hurting him and after everything they'd been through they both deserved better than that.

"If you're sure, then I'll...stop pushing him away."

Mostly. She's still not sure about sharing the bed because nightmares.

Bruce looks down at his hands, and an idea sparks in his mind. It's simple, but it could very well help. He turns his arm over and taps his watch. "...what about an alarm? One that monitors your temperature. If it gets dangerous, it goes off. A subtle warning to start, maybe just a vibration, and it gets more obvious and louder if it continues."

Pepper blinks and just looks at Bruce for a moment or two. That's so ridiculously simple she's mad at herself for not thinking of it.

"That's brilliant, Doctor. I'm sure that's something one or both of you could come up with..."

Tap. Tap. Tap.

JARVIS people. Tony spies. He spins in his chair, listening to it all. Sorry. No, actually, he's not sorry. He's going to have to give Banner a kiss after all! Maybe now Pepper will stop pulling back.

The watch idea is actually pretty sound and Tony already has JARVIS pulling up the schematics for it, pressing his fingers through light sensors to create a prototype.

"No...has to be...more delicate. She doesn't have big hairy Banner wrists."

"I'll leave the engineering up a new device to Stark. Better mention it should actively tell time or I think he'll forget it." A tiny smile, something more real this time. He's not entirely sure how to feel about that look.

"Tell me something. After each... flare up, afterward, does it slowly reduce in temperature and intensity, or all at once?"

"Good point."

Pepper is aware Tony is more than likely spying. It's just how he is - he's inherently a nosy bastard, but...

That's okay.

"It seems to slowly reduce. Almost like a real fire dies down to embers, except it's a little faster than that."

Hey! He's not--

Oh. Right. Yeah he is. Sorry.

Luckily, he's too busy now with science to pay attention. Carry on.

Bruce probably would know if he thought about it, but his mind hasn't quite come to the idea he's being spied on. He wouldn't be very pleased if he caught on. "That's probably better for your body, to be honest. The fast come down would be tougher on your cells."

He rubs his chin, thinking about it. "Have you noticed you're sleeping less or more? Eating more?" Metabolism changes.

"Eating more." She gets to her feet and paces. "More active. Training, a lot. I sleep a lot too. I don't know how normal or not normal any of this is." The ones that helped engineer it were dead - one by Pepper's 'talent's with a Tony assist, and the other but Aldrich himself.

"Increased metabolism, severely so." A soft smile for Pepper, looking up to her. "The same as me. Do yourself a favor, and make sure you actually do sleep. Your body will pay for every hour you deny it."

Pepper opens her mouth to reply, but as if on cue, she gives a jaw-cracking yawn that might indicate it had been a while since she had napped.

"I see what you mean. I'll make a note of it."

"Easier to work with it than to have your body just suddenly give out." Bruce sounds as if he's speaking from experience - he is.

He stands up, feeling a touch more at ease after their conversation. It's an odd thought to realize he's told her a few details about his condition than he's ever told anyone, but a worthy cause to donate the information to.

"Ms. Potts," he starts, then tries to figure out how to say what he wants. Finally, a little smile comes. "Don't hesitate to ask me anything."

"You're right." Fighting it...didn't work. Bruce would know, wouldn't he.

"Thank you, Bruce. I really appreciate all of your help. I'm sure Tony does too." He gives a pointed look at what's probably a hidden camera. "And he will express it, in his own way."

Bruce follows her very pointed look away, and his brows rose. "...tell me you're not serious," he mutters, guessing exactly what is going on. "Stark, if there's a camera in my room, I am going to remove it by force if it isn't off."

Pepper just smiles. It's Tony. He's...Tony.

"Do you mind terribly if I take a quick nap?" She's exhausted sudeu, and needs a moment or two to think. She glances up, eyes fixing on the little device.

"Tony, you can come back now."

Bruce looks to Pepper with a small frown, but nods. "Sorry, I shouldn't have kept you awake. I'll see you later." With another flick of his eyes to the camera, he heads out of Pepper's room.

Okay, to be fair, Banner, you already knew about the cameras in Pepper's room because how else was he suppose to monitor her exactly?

As for your room... They can talk about that later.

Tony's a little bit too hard at work destroying on of Pepper's watches. He gave it to her for one of the birthdays he missed years ago and since that means she picked it out herself, he knows she'll think it's fashionable enough to wear.

Might wanna plog your ears if you're coming in here though, Bruce. He's got some Black Sabbath piping in loud.

How does Tony work like this?! Bruce has his hands over his ears as he comes in. "JARVIS! Please reduce the volume!" He calls out as he comes closer to Tony. Now he has a plan.

"Hey, I was listening to that," Tony says with a smirk and pushes up on his goggles as he holds the watch out to Bruce. "Going to equip it with Bluetooth too. She'll like it. Hands free communication with yours truly. I was thinking about adding the same titanium iron matrix I use for my suit's heat conductors--" Well. "Former suit's heat conductors."

Speaking of all of that... "I don't appreciate being spied on, Stark," Bruce says unhappily, giving the other man a look. "There had better not be any cameras in my room. I mean it. I /will/ leave."

"No one's spying," Tony mutters. "I showed you the monitors before we even went in."

But okay, yeah, he was spying. It's what he does, okay? Keep your panties on.

"But thanks. You know, for putting in a good word with me. I'll wear a full body oven mitt at this point if she wants." He's kind of touch starved.

"I'm serious, what I told her." Bruce sits down, rubbing his brow slowly. Tony, you have no idea what being touch-starved really is. "I'm guessing you thought the watch idea was a good one, then?"

He looks down at his own watch, thinking about that he started needing the heart monitor again. It woke him when he was having nightmares.

Tony has gotten use to getting a touch whenever he wants, Banner. You've had awhile to deal with your loneliness. It's not the same. He knows that. He knows that very well.

But tony is also a very selfish man. And he's his own most important person. Right after Pepper.

"Great idea. Want me to tune up yours too?"

He could probably use another nap.

"My watch is in good working order," Bruce informs Tony, taking in Tony with a glance before informing him, "and you aren't. Go back upstairs and try and get some sleep. Please, for Pepper's sake."

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