Take it easy, take it slow

[buckingham]

ｔａｋｉｎｇ ｉｔ ｓｌｏｗ

a s m u t / s h i p p i n g m e m e

Some characters can't just rush into things, especially things like love or sex. These characters need a partner who will take things slow, explore each other fully before taking the leap. They need someone they can trust.

Can you be the one they need?

+ post your character, preferences, etc, with or without a prompt +
+ tag other characters, either replying to the prompt they supplied or supplying your own +
+ remember, just because you're taking it slow, doesn't mean you can both take the back seat +
+ be kind to one another, and patient +
+ enjoy +

Comments

[hyperkinesia]

"Uh... yes, generally speaking," he looks around, shrugging a little. "We're taking our time. It's not exactly our most pressing project anyway, but it's coming along nicely." Said as if he's not talking about a massive armor specifically designed to beat him into submission or unconsciousness.

[aredledgerday]

"That's good to know," she said, "But I didn't mean the lab. It seems fairly obvious that you've settled in here." Of course, she could take a hint. If Bruce didn't want too share, she wasn't going to pry. "Just let me know if you ever need a break from Mr Stark."

[hyperkinesia]

"You didn't," he parroted back, slightly surprised, though it took him only a moment to figure out what she was really asking there. He smiled, head ducking a little as he let the spoon swirl in the soup for a bit, then looked back up at her. "Same answer, I guess. Taking my time, things are coming along."

It was more complicated than that, it always was, but there was no harm in talking about it like it was just simpler.

"I think everyone needs a break from him every once in a while." He liked the man, but really. "What do you propose?"

[aredledgerday]

"I was thinking something quiet, like a walk in the park? Depending on how long you can get away..." And assuming they didn't get called on assignment the moment they stepped out of the building. "I could probably stand to broaden my horizons beyond the gym and the shooting range, myself."

[hyperkinesia]

"However long I want to." Bruce might spend a lot of time working but that's only because he likes to, and his social life consists mainly of Tony and the other Avengers when they happen to drop by. So it's not like he usually has a lot to do outside of the Tower. "There better be ice cream."

[aredledgerday]

Natasha smiled at Bruce's declaration. "Now that I know you have a sweet tooth, I can plan accordingly," she said with a laugh. She didn't know if he had any hobbies outside of his research, so she had just taken a shot in the dark. "Are you more of a cone, or a sundae man?"

[hyperkinesia]

It wasn't by her own fault that she didn't know what his hobbies were. Bruce was a pretty private person, even now, and to be honest most of his hobbies were indoor activities. Even when he trained or jogged he did so at the gym in the Tower, though he had gone to a park nearby for a run a few times already.

Maybe he'd suggest that sometime. But since she mentioned being away from the gym for a while, he figured he could leave a suggestion that involved physical training for another time.

"Both are good. But a sundae covered in melted caramel and crushed nuts... hmm, that's a winner."

[aredledgerday]

Natasha knew there was more to Bruce then could be found in his dossier. She wasn't the most open person herself. But she felt like she was learning, little by little. Truth be told, she wouldn't mind meeting Bruce at the gym sometime, and maybe make it a regular thing--if it ever came up. She just right wasn't him to think that she was being pushy, or that she was keeping tabs on him because SHIELD thought he needed a handler.

"Mm. I think I know just the place."

[hyperkinesia]

Having people around and opening up to them took some getting used to for someone like Bruce, especially after so many years on the run, convincing himself he was better off if he kept himself away from everything and everyone. He figured it was just as difficult for her, although for different reasons— the point was, he felt like she could understand that. And he could understand that about her too, which ended up making her one of the people he found it easiest to get along with and be around.

"Are you telling me, or making it a surprise?"

[aredledgerday]

"Well, if you're not big on surprises--" Which would be perfectly understandable, under the circumstances. "--I hear Manhattan finally got a Dairy Queen. But I was thinking Morganstern's, or maybe one of the gelato shops nearby--unless you'd rather pick the place."

She didn't know how much Bruce had explored the city yet, but she was open to suggestion.

[hyperkinesia]

"Depends on the kind of surprise," Bruce shrugged. Keeping her ice cream parlor of choice a secret would hardly bother him, for instance; he wasn't opposed to a few pleasant surprises, and he figured Natasha would be a good judge of where his limits were. "I trust you enough for an ice cream, I think. So you take your pick, and I'll follow."

[aredledgerday]

"Now?" she asked, half curious, and half hopeful. She didn't want to sound too eager, but the thought of spending time with him was growing more and more appealing, and it seemed only prudent to seize opportunity. Work might not permit such a luxury again any time soon.

But she was willing to wait, and work to make it happen, if need be.

[hyperkinesia]

For what it's worth, it didn't come out as too eager, but there was definitely some surprise at how quickly she jumped to that. Now. Bruce had thought it was more of a hypothetical offer than anything, not quite forgotten but eventually put off indefinitely by virtue of their jobs and complicated schedules.

Now, though... Well. It was sudden, but that was kind of nice. Bruce could use a bit of spontaneity in his life, anyway.

"I'd have never pinned you as the impulsive type," he joked, looking around before he pursed his lips and shrugged. "Uh... sure. I'm not really that busy, anyway."

[aredledgerday]

"Good," she said brightly as she stood to go. "And I wouldn't say I'm impulsive, either," she added, "Just practical." And maybe a bit opportunistic, but it was hard to ignore the instincts that had been trained into her--to look for an opening, and take her shot. "I know how busy our lives can be." Even outside of combat, she'd learned that you had take time to enjoy the little things when you could, or those things would pass you by.

Bruce could have said no, and she would have left it at that. But he hadn't. So maybe he was looking for a little taste of normalcy, too.

[hyperkinesia]

Bruce covered the rest of the soup and went over to the small fridge he kept at the lab to put it away, intent on saving the rest for another time. Fetching his blazer, along with his phone and wallet, he made his way over to Natasha, nodding for her to lead the way. She knew her way around more than well, after all.

"I guess they are, yes." And it was true, they couldn't know when they'd have the chance for something like this again. "Carpe diem, right?"

[aredledgerday]

"Exactly." Natasha smiled as she headed for the door. Her pace was relaxed, but purposeful, and she moved to one side of the hallway so that Bruce could walk beside her rather than just follow. There was a part of her that was surprised he had accepted her invitation so readily, but she kept that nervous excitement tampted down to a manageable level; happy just to let their excursion unfold as it would.

[hyperkinesia]

Let it never be said that Bruce wasn't full of surprises at times. Honestly it was kind of nice to be the one causing that reaction for a change, when more often than not it was Natasha who surprised him. Obviously that wasn't the reason why he'd agreed to this sundae outing, but still.

Reaching the elevator, he pressed the call button, glancing at her. "So what about you? Cone or sundae?"

[aredledgerday]

It was a nice surprise. Natasha wouldn't mind if there were more like it in the future. But she was used to living in the moment. "I do like sundaes," she said, "Though I don't usually get too elaborate. I make so many decisions in the field, I like to keep my dessert simple. Is that weird?"

[hyperkinesia]

"Not at all," Bruce smiled a little at the answer, understanding. "It makes perfect sense." Stepping into the elevator, he pushed the button for the ground floor, then let comfortable silence fall between them during the trip down the building. She was the one who knew where they were headed, so once there, he let her lead the way, more than happy to follow along.