Choose your poison

[redledgerdays]

01. I DON'T LOVE YOU ANYMORE Unfortunately, you can't keep lying to your partner/friend/family anymore. You just don't feel the same for them anymore.
02. I WOULD KILL YOU The person who means so much to you has done something completely unforgivable and now it's time to make sure they know where they stand. You would kill them if you ever got the chance.
03. I LOVE YOU, BUT... A bittersweet love confession. You know you love this person more than anything, but you're not sure you can give them what they need.
04. I DON'T TRUST YOU No matter how you feel about this person, you really can't trust them anymore.
05. SACRIFICE You're going to sacrifice yourself, for the person you're talking with or for the good of all humanity. You want them to know the reasons and that there's no stopping you.
06. TROUBLE You're in trouble and you might not make it through. You need to let at least one person know how you feel before it's too late though.
07. BETRAYAL You've betrayed this person and you have to tell them the truth, no more running from it
08. CHEATED You've been unfaithful and it's time to tell your lover.
09. BROKEN That's it. You've had it. You are entirely broken and tired of everything.
10. AFRAID Something has you deathly afraid and you need to talk about it.
11. HELP ME You need someone to help you, bad. You can't do it alone anymore, you've tried.
12. I'M SORRY You said something or did something horrible and now it's time to ask for forgiveness.
13. YOU WERE A MISTAKE Sorry, but whoever you're talking to was the biggest mistake of your life or maybe it was just something you did together.
14. LET'S RUN AWAY You want to just get out, leave everything behind and be with this one person for the rest of your life.
15. ASHAMED Either you're ashamed of something they have done or something you did, either way you need to bring it up.
16. CAN'T REMEMBER The person standing in front of you looks so happy to see you, so relieved, but how do you tell them you can't remember a thing about them?
17. YOUR CHOICE Either choose an option from above, mix and match, or make up your own idea.

Comments

here have a small novel. I bet you can't guess which ones I picked.

[tiptoeing]

I'm sorry.

He'd given the note to a confused and worried Pepper. It was meant for everyone...for his team. His friends. He didn't know who would see it first...Tony, he assumed. But with any luck, Tony wouldn't catch up to him.

What does Fury want me to do, swallow it?

He'd asked Natasha that once, about the Tesseract. But this wasn't the Tesseract. It was a different kind of alien energy source, another thing S.H.I.E.L.D. couldn't control. And it was going to blow the world to hell if they couldn't figure something out in time.

She'd always tried to recruit him for S.H.I.E.L.D. Not just as an Avenger, but as a scientist. As an agent. He'd finally caved and said yes, not realizing his first mission might be his last.

Not that Fury had actually ordered him to swallow it. But he'd put him in charge of finding a way to destroy it, or at least a way to contain the explosion. And he'd already tried smashing it to pieces. He knew what he needed to do.

Bruce took the device to some remote desert location. He took it out of the case, feeling the energy pulsing in his hands. Unlike the Tesseract, it was bright green. He thought that was sort of ironic.

my heart bb :(

[redledgerdays]

He wasn't allowed to do this.

Natasha stormed out of Stark Tower the moment Pepper handed her the note, ignoring the others as she called into S.H.I.E.L.D. The poor junior agent who answered had a jet coming for her in only a few seconds, not prepared to deal with an honestly angry Black Widow; even Clint couldn't stop her when he got there with the ship.

Fury would have a lot of explaining to do, but that could wait. She didn't have the luxury of time at the moment, and talking with the Director was not going to be a simple affair.

This was her fault, after all. Even if she didn't want to admit it, Banner was only on this mission because of her, and that wasn't allowed. Losing him wasn't allowed.

She just needed to find him in time, what precious little of it was left.

we clearly needed more feels :|

[tiptoeing]

Bruce barely heard the jet approaching, as he was lost in his thoughts. He wondered if this thing could actually kill him. The Other Guy was pretty indestructible...he'd learned that the hard way.

He remembered the time he'd put a bullet in his mouth, and the Other Guy had spit it right back out. But this was different. He didn't have any sort of control back then, and now he did. And he wasn't trying to kill himself...he was trying to save the world. That was something he still seemed to understand, even when he was an enormous green rage monster.

But if it did end his life, he was pretty sure that would only make things easier on everyone else.

He finally realized the jet was approaching as it closed in on his location, and then he let the Other Guy out. No one was going to stop him from doing this.

/sobs all over

[redledgerdays]

She landed the jet about a quarter mile from where Bruce showed up on radar. She'd checked out the file on the flight in, seen exactly what it was he was doing. Landing near that could have ended badly for her.

By the time she reached him, it didn't matter though. Bruce wasn't there. Natasha went still the moment she saw him, gripped by terror. He'd fought with them so many times this way, but it never changed that immediate, gut-wrenching reaction.

"Bruce?"

/holds

[tiptoeing]

When the Hulk looked at her, it wasn't in anger. There was a hint of something softer...something only Betty had seen from him in this state. Like Bruce really was still in there, trying to reassure her. There had been signs of it when they'd fought together, of course. When he'd saved their lives. But he'd never shown emotion quite like this.

He stepped back from Natasha, creating more distance between them. Then, he swallowed the ball of green energy. And he didn't spit it back out again. Even the Hulk realized this was something he needed to do, as Bruce suspected he would.

He expanded, the blast going off inside him as he screamed in pain. But he didn't burst. He simply crumpled to the ground when it was over, and then he was Bruce again.

Bruce was out cold, and his pulse was weak. But he was still alive.

[redledgerdays]

"Bruce, stop!"

It was a pointless demand, she knew. Even before the words left her lips she knew they were futile. Bruce -- no, the Hulk -- swallowed the energy and for one agonizingly long moment she thought it was the end. Thought she would witness what should be impossible: the death of Bruce Banner.

She'd seen the sadness in his eyes. The humanity. Bruce had expected his own death, too.

Natasha was next to him faster than was advisable, cradling his head in her lap as she looked him over for injuries. "Idiot," she chided, running a hand along his cheek. "You didn't have to do this."

[tiptoeing]

His eyes eventually blinked open, as her touch anchored him into consciousness, and he coughed painfully. A tiny piece of metal fell from his mouth; the remnants of the device that had nearly killed him.

"...Tasha?" he managed, once he realized whose lap his head was so comfortably resting on.

[redledgerdays]

The moment he woke, Natasha's expression flat-lined, anger simmering behind green eyes as she pressed her lips in a flat line. She saw that piece of metal.

"Why?"

[tiptoeing]

"Had to," Bruce replied softly, glancing away. He wasn't sure why she was mad at him. It had worked, hadn't it?

"He told me...if I couldn't destroy it, I had to contain it somehow. I knew what he meant."

2!

[poisonousdream]

Being well-acquainted with dark magics has its advantages, especially for one demi-god currently on the run from his would-be brother... and with some injuries to repay.

And so, the high security office Natasha's just been ordered to infiltrate and search for the good of S.H.I.E.L.D.? It's got an unexpected guest waiting for her inside, lounging in one of the executive chairs.

"Agent Romanov," he says with decided relish, swiveling around to face her. "Miss me?"

[redledgerdays]

It's a routine infiltration; absolutely nothing Natasha can't or hasn't handled before. The usual suspects haven't shown up yet to slow her down, which is both refreshing and surprisingly boring. Generally these missions have at least one hiccup -- nothing she can't handle, of course, but at least it spices things up.

When she breaks into the office and Loki spins around to greet her, Nat makes a mental note to never want another hiccup on this sort of mission again. She can feel her stomach bottom out and she glances around the room quickly for any accomplices and escape routes, eyebrow cocked and mouth in a hard line, doing her best to keep any fear in check.

"Not really, no," she answers off-handedly.

[poisonousdream]

Oh, they're quite alone. Loki of Asgard isn't about to raise another army to deal with one small girl. This is between the two of them, after all.

He doesn't look to be in much of a hurry, however. Loki leans back in his chair, looking far too smug for his own good, and turns over and over in his hands a small orb that pulsates with a sickly green glow. And why shouldn't he be smug? For once he's snuck up on the bitch.

"It would behoove you to be more charitable. I'd imagine it's not every day your presence is graced by a god."

[redledgerdays]

She watches him, expression hard. Loki wouldn't be here without a reason, and she doubts he's terribly invested in foreign markets. That narrows down the reasons uncomfortably.

He's a god she won't acknowledge or bow to, and her defiance plays out in casual disinterest. Clint would at least have a quip about his godhood; she just doesn't care.

"What do you want, Loki?"

[poisonousdream]

Loki raises his eyebrows in feigned surprise, the movement of the orb momentarily arrested.

"We made a bargain, did we not?"

He rises, then, clutching the orb in the palm of his hand and sauntering toward her.

"I confess that certain events of the past have called for... necessary alterations. What with your beloved archer no longer able to provide his services. But I'm nothing if not honor-bound. And so, the burden must fall upon me to take his place."

He doesn't look all that sorry, really.

[redledgerdays]

Mention of Clint has her eyes going wide, nostrils flaring as she takes in a sharp breath, quelling her anger as best she can. He has no right to mention the archer -- no right to be here, really, bargain or no. She's broken far more promises in her time and Loki's demi-god status does not make him exempt from her tricks.

"That won't be required." Her eyes move between him and the orb, taking a cautious step back. She's ready to pull her weapon at any moment, though she makes no move to call in backup. "I'm not interested in you upholding your honour."

[poisonousdream]

Well, well. His mention of the archer looks as if it touched upon a nerve. Loki purses his lips as if she's personally affronted him by her refusal, but his eyes are twinkling.

"I'm afraid it's not that simple. You see, just as my honor matters not to you, your interests do not sway me. The two of you are marked to die."

He pauses in contemplation, rubbing a thumb over the orb. It flares briefly in response to his touch, then settles.

"Though if you'd rather I start with the archer..."

[redledgerdays]

Her guns are out instantly, barrels pointed at Loki's head. "I'd rather you not talk," she says, head cocked to the side, jaw tight. That orb is going to be a problem, particularly seeing she has no idea what it is or what it's capable of doing. Knowing Loki, it can't be anything good.

So she needs to make herself some time.

"We defeated you once, Loki. What makes you think I can't do it again?"

[beyond_reason]

[ooc: You know what? Continuing from/referencing this thread, and because I can't decide...I'm going with 17 and grabbing things from there. Hopefully this works x.x]

It'd been a long time since he'd been back here in this training area. Not much had changed--though perhaps there were fewer people now, though that was unsurprising considering what they had gone through thanks to him. Someday, he'd finish the job, but that was not why he was there. No, no simple observations this time of human life in the search for power and advantages over his "brother". Nor stupid, ignorant questions.

He was far wiser and more knowledgeable now. And now? He knew why she reacted to him the way she had. Feared him--as she rightly should have done. The memories of their encounter had slipped to the back of his mind once he left her years ago, and he pretended to not have known her when they "met" again for her first time. He'd learnt much about her by that point, but still, he did not reveal everything he knew then.

No, he vowed that once he escaped, he'd have words with that woman where no one could hear them. And he'd make her suffer.

That was why he was there now, lurking in the shadows. His wrists were raw from the shackles he still wore, the chains clutched in his hands to silence them, but he'd take torn skin over the slow and agonizing death of strangulation. A few Asgardians were sent on their way to Valhalla that day in that manner, or else his wrists might not have pained him as much as they did. Even then, it had physically hurt coming to this realm, and he suspected the chains might have had something to do with it but he could not get them off as much as he tried.

But no matter; he was there now and he had something to do. He stepped quietly along the wall, his presence masked, watching the remaining few humans before he slipped into the locker room to wait for her to arrive.

[redledgerdays]

[works for meeeee]

Natasha had a routine. When on base, she would always hit the gym late in the afternoon to get around the usual rush of users, staying long after the last person left. Some days she'd lose herself in yoga, others in boxing, still others in weights. Today was a cardio day, running relays through her own little area, working on agility, reflexes and stamina until her hair stuck to her face and breath came hot and harsh through over-worked lungs.

Grabbing a towel, Nat sat down on a bench, catching her breath and looking at herself in the large mirror. Nothing had changed -- not externally -- but ever since the battle with Loki she'd felt different. Even moreso since she'd seen him a few months earlier, inexplicably young and naive. It was an image she had trouble banishing, though one she'd managed not to talk about, even to Clint. Something simply felt wrong, like a mission ending in failure. A nagging, incessant sensation that something was out there and about to get her.

So she worked it off in the gym. Or tried to. But even as her lungs burned from excess, she still looked at the mirror and felt off. You're getting as bad as Clint, she thought, running a hand in frustration through her hair as she stood, toweling the sweat from her neck as she headed for the locker room. Maybe it was time to tell someone about what she was feeling. Her instincts were very rarely off, after all.

[beyond_reason]

While he waited for her (and once the other mortals had finally left), he leant back against the lockers that faced the door, closing his eyes for a moment. He allowed himself this moment of contemplation and peace as he was certain it would be the last he'd get for a long time to come. His shackles clinked softly as he gingerly touched his wrists and hissed under his breath. The skin was raw, bruised and bleeding, but those wounds would heal soon.

Suddenly, he heard movement from outside and he swiftly slipped around the corner, hiding just behind the row of lockers. He listened for approach, listening for the sound of her breath.

And when the moment was right, he rid himself of that cloaking spell and dashed out completely visible. A horrified and exhausted expression was plastered on his face, and he tried to speak. And then he collapsed to the ground as his knees gave out beneath him, but he didn't move after that. To her, he looked almost exactly the way he did the last time they saw each other in New York City, except his superficial wounds he'd sustained in that encounter had long since healed only to be replaced with fresh ones made during his escape.

[redledgerdays]

Natasha Romanova does not startle easily. It's part and parcel to being an assassin -- and a damn good one at that. But the sudden movement had her backed up against the door instantly, reaching for a weapon that wasn't there. Deja vu, she thought, scanning the room for the source. Her stomach knotted and heart leapt to her throat to see it.

He looked the same as she'd last seen him -- him, not some younger version who should not have existed. Nat inhaled sharply, the exhaled shakily, trying to regain her composure before approaching the demi-god lying on the floor of the women's locker room.

"I'm beginning to think you have a fetish," she ventured, staying out of reach as she crouched to see him, face falling back into a schooled mask of disinterest.

[insert appropriately scared-looking icon here]

[beyond_reason]

Slowly his eyes opened slightly, closed, and then popped open as he gasped and began to frantically look around before his frightened gaze fell on her. The chains clanked and scrapped on the ground as he attempted to reach towards her. "You..." he said hoarsely, his hand recoiling as he thought better of the action.

He started to scramble away from her a second later, his actions seemingly like that of a scared animal, until his back struck the nearest wall. After catching his breath, he added, "It--it would be this realm...!"

[redledgerdays]

That wasn't the reaction she was expecting. Natasha kept her distance, still crouched and watching him uncertainly as he scrambled away from her, chains clanking together. That was new and she cocked her head to the side in a mix of admiration at whoever had shackled him and confusion as to why he was here in chains. He certainly didn't sound like he meant to be.

"Expected one of the other eight realms?" she asked, voice disinterested, eyes on him like lasers.

[beyond_reason]

"Any is better than here," he snapped, suddenly angry. But that fury was short-lived as he shook his head, running his hands down his face, and finally, after a moment, he spoke again. "Asgard..." He trailed off, looking away from her as he drew his knees up to his chest. His hands shook involuntarily; moreso from the metal that cut into his raw skin than any true fear, but he did his best to quell the movement anyway.

His next words were choked out of him, like he could barely bring himself to utter them.

"Asgard is no more."

[redledgerdays]

There is no surprise, no expression registered on her face at his revelation, though inwardly Natasha can't help but pause, taken aback at his words. She doesn't believe it -- can't believe it -- and yet why else would Loki be here? He was being held by the Asgardians, and she hadn't seen Thor since he left.

But Loki was the god of lies. They were kindred spirits -- in that, at least.

"And only you managed to make it out?" She didn't bother hiding her skepticism, keeping a healthy distance from the demi-god, though she took keen notice in the condition of his wrists.