like a nerve

                                                                    Not even the person who contains the Hulk.

                         Her fingers are restless, rubbing against each other and her rings.  She wonders if anyone has come looking for him, or her, for that matter.  Would they even find them here?  No.  She should stay positive.  The doctor would get better, and they would leave here together.  As she insisted, she has no plans of leaving him behind, no plans of touching the case either.  A hand wraps around her wrist.  No matter how drawn she might be to the relic, she has no intentions of being another Pandora, and letting loose what is in there.

                                 Wanda’s made mistakes.  She is determined not not to make another one.

                                                         She looks over at him with some sympathy.  She can see that Doctor Banner is struggling to stay awake.  She doesn’t move from her spot on one of the steps, but she does place a hand against her cheek, an elbow against her knee, observing quietly.]

                                                                                                                  You can rest if you want.

                                [If Wanda wanted to take the case, she would have already done so.  If she was going to leave him behind, she would have already done that too.  Maybe this isn’t too different from watching Pietro recover from his wound, but he doesn’t need protecting.  The alter-ego of the Hulk is in a precarious position; so is the Infinity Gem.  Should there be any enemies left over, she hopes to be able to defend them both.  Aside from fighting Ultron in the end, she never seemed to use her powers for any good.  But making sure both of them don’t end up in the wrong hands…  That’s her priority right now, at the very least.]

                   occasionally, the corridor echoes with the sound of footsteps or shouts and the occasional gunshot. HYDRA had largely been subdued over the course of the attack, but it wasn't a stretch to think a few may have been lucky or even smart, and were still trying to escape. in his condition, bruce can't tell if they were getting closer, and although he doesn't doubt his ability to fight them off, he's worried that the tower might just collapse for good. he's about to bow out, mentally speaking, when he hears her. you don't trust me.

                                  the shame that seems to flood through him is surprising.

in another life, he would have been comfortable, even happy to rely on this- he didn't trust anyone. it wasn't safe to trust someone, because that was a one way ticket to capture, experimentation and death. his trust had been violated so many times, even (and almost especially) after joining the avengers. so what? he wants to say. can you blame me?  with hulk, it was a non-issue. he didn't really trust much of anyone, save betty and jen. his family]

                  ...Do you trust me? [it's not pointed or sarcastic, he genuinely wants to know. it wouldn't shock him if she didn't. instability was his power. it was hard to trust.

Indestructible Hulk #20 (2013)

                              At his question, her eyes turn to him, then the case, then down at her feet, contemplating.  Trying to be an Avenger.  Trying to do something right.  Or did he mean right here, in this moment and time?]  Being an Avenger, I guess…  I…  I’m not sure.  I was with my brother, Pietro.  He was injured, but I was not.  So I have no excuse not to do more.  [She couldn’t simply wait at her brother’s side, even if some part of her wanted to.  It wouldn’t be right to be idle when there was a bigger world out there and much more at stake.]

                     But… why I’m here now…  [She pauses, trying to find the right words.  She was so used to Pietro talking for her, though he would not expose this much and his interpretations did not always reflect hers.  But she knows she needs to be honest—if she’s ever going to earn this Doctor Banner’s trust.]  You’ll think it strange.  That box—it was… calling out to me.  [She looks at him, averts her gaze, and shrugs.]  And it led me right to you.  You are an Avenger, but you are also tired and hurt so I’m not going to leave you.  [And…  Her eyes glance at the case again.  … I don’t trust myself with that.  Something about it and what it contains…

                       not that this was her problem.]

My first day on the job went about as well as this. [and then some, he though, a somewhat violent shiver tearing up his spine. he's trying to stay awake for her now, if she was going to stay with him, he could at least put forth the effort. 'i have no excuse not to do more.'

'i know where i could do the most good. it's also where i could do the most harm.'

                 the similarities were making him a little dizzy.]

It's not so strange. Whatever these things do...[he opens his eyes fully, glancing up at her. it doesn't last long, and he's back to watching the stars spin behind his eyelids] It's not rational. I've tried to rationalize them. They seem to do whatever they want. [swallowing back the bitter taste in his throat, he sighed, trying to tuck himself further into the corner, as if it would help. this is a kindness and he knows it. she would be entitled to tossing a blanket over him and leaving him there. or doing nothing at all.]

                                                      When riots used to go south in Sokovia, the twins and their comrades had something similar.  Fighting for freedom had never been a smooth path.  With Ultron, it was different.  A drone could be replaced by another, hoards of minions at his call.  The same could not be said for the twins, two beings not human and yet capable of flaws working for one who strived for perfection.  Ultron didn’t like flaws, she remembered, with no small modicum of disdain.

                                        Following the doctor into the stairwell, she tries to keep her mind on other things.  Not a difficult task for someone with infinite realities waiting to reveal themselves when she so much as moves a finger, but it is a good distraction from the bodies, destruction, and traces of blood.  She rubs her arm uncomfortably.  Even now, she can’t seem to get used to the sight; she thought she would be desensitized by now.  Violence is no stranger to the woman; perhaps it never would be.  Wanda is only ripped from her thought process the moment she hears him falter.  Lifting up her gaze, she’s quick to move a few steps down, arms up but refraining actual physical touch.  She blinks rapidly, processing his words.]

                          … I’m not going to leave you here.  I don’t even know where that needs to be taken to.

                           [There’s a pause before she sits down on one of the steps, hands on her lap and planting herself neatly despite her disheveled look.  The stairwell is narrow.  Lights flicker bleakly.]

[he's not shunning her at this point, he's not trying to, he just can't believe that someone, at least not someone who knew him and was already to accustomed to his various weaknesses and inconveniences, would want to stay with him. he'd done this all over the world, collapsed in some sad little heap wherever his body decided to drop him and tonight would be no different. he supposed that was the price of being indestructible, or really, one of a thousand different prices he found himself paying every other moment.

he drew his limbs in closely, shivering despite the heat pouring off of him, confused metabolism and radiation and leftover kinetic energy all fighting to fix the all-too-rapid change from human to monster. the bones and skin and organs healed instantly, leaving the rest of him to play some pathetic game of catch-up. it was hilarious, in a way. being so terrifyingly strong one moment, and laughably kitten-weak in the next. not flattering. it would be easy to take her kindness for pity]

                          She’s afraid of what she’ll find out and unleash into this world.]  A lot of things shouldn’t exist, Doctor.  [Like herself and her twin, for instance, and yet here they are… still living.  It seems they can’t die just yet.  Exhaling under her breath, she’s tempted to help him up when she restrains himself, hand returning to her side just as quickly as it’s brought forth.  He doesn’t want to be touched, Wanda reminds herself.  She wonders, if only she met the Avengers differently, maybe they wouldn’t have started off as enemies; maybe they would have started off as friends…  But it’s too late to think about what-ifs and maybes.  She’s here now, helping, trying to be someone and someone more than the person she was before.  What matters is what happens now.

a lot of things shouldn't exist.

hulk growls distantly in his head, a brief flare of offense that he pushes away along with the aching of each and every individual joint in his body. looking up at her, he just nods. earnestly agrees. a lot of things shouldn't exist. he begins down the hallway, gingerly dodging debris (human and otherwise) as best he could, not quite sure if she was following, or even where he'd go. was he just going to wander out into the street with this thing? opening the door to the emergency stairwell, he started the painfully slow descent, counting steps to keep himself focused.

                          At his question, the woman looks away, brief traces of red tint her gaze as her magic traces through the remainder of the floor.]  Gone.  Dead.  Out cold.  [They are no longer a threat.  Those who escaped would fight another day; those who perished would be buried or however the Avengers see fit to take care of their foe.  And those who are unconscious…  Another matter for another time; the bodies are being rallied up on other floors as they speak.]

I couldn't let them have it. Didn't let them....[he shakes his head and shrugs] No one should have it, it shouldn't exist. [whatever these things were, from what he'd seen, they only caused pain and suffering. finally, bruce takes a deep breath and forces himself to stand up. joints and insides protest, and for a moment, it seems he won't make it, but resolve and pride win. he reaches down and takes the case by its handle, surprised he can hold its weight (even though it wasn't heavy at all)]