spit_it_out | (no subject)

After his first foray into the bar, his thoughts are a little more ordered. People were less hostile than he thought they'd be. It helps.

But it doesn't address the underlying issue. Not the science of trying to get rid of the Other Guy, but his own lack of ability to deal with it. And now he knows for sure that killing himself isn't an option. He also knows that that thought shouldn't be the agony it is.

He's always been the kind of man who fixes problems. It's increasingly clear that he's not doing very well at managing that on his own. And besides, it's logical. It's law, isn't it? Someone turns up at a hospital as a suicide attempt, they're automatically given a therapist.

He leaves a note at the bar for Charles. He doesn't know if he can trust him, but Guppy seems to think he knows his stuff. He can only try. If it doesn't work, he'll just have to try something else.

He asks for the guy to come to the cell in the office. He's started to hate it, but at least it's secure. There's always the chance this could go very wrong.

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"What about the fact that you understand what's going on? Also you know a solution is possible. Then there's the fact that I know other people care. Milliways is a small world and you're a good man who has effected it in the time you've been here. X and Molly have told you they care but they're not the only ones. And the one that I constantly come back to, you're not alone in this. Yes, you're the only one with this particular problem but you've found X and there will be others who understand. Also you are free to make your choices. The government isn't here to decide, only you do."

He can't, with any honesty, say he believes he's affected anyone here.

'Yeah, it's good that I understand what's going on.'

He'll readily admit to that.

'But it's not here that's the problem. Having a life here isn't a priority, Charles. I have to live back at home. And I have no job there, and the government is watching wherever I go.'

He doesn't say, and no family, and no friends left, but Betty's face is clear in his mind. Both as she normally looks, and how the Hulk left her - unconscious, and covered in blood.

There's a whole lot of pain that comes with that image.

"Having a life is the problem, full stop. You've started to build one here and you can take some of those lessons into your world. Yes, the government, they always try to watch what they don't understand. I'm currently having to work with them as they have more resources than I do but they don't get to interact first with mutants. How can you exert control on them? What do you know that they don't? Use that. Set those boundaries and then decide what you wish to do."

He's uneasy at Charles mentioning his government work - it's an ingrained instinct by now, to the point where he'll try his best not to look a street cop in the face. He can understand the need for resources, because that was one of the reasons he worked with them. But he'll never forget the way they turned on him.

'My control comes from the fact they're scared of Him. They've thrown practically every weapon they've got at him, short of a nuke. He just keeps going.'

Even when he's down, and tired, the Hulk won't die.

'I know more about the science of it than they do - and some people want that knowledge to make more of him. I won't agree to that, obviously, which is why they won't leave me alone.'

In short, control comes from the Hulk being indestructible (so far), and him running around the world so they can't find him.

Charles frowns, its an awful stalemate,

"Yes, I see the problem. Its a stalemate. The only answer I can see at the moment is doing what you can to live even if they are there. Its your life, not the Other Guy's, not theirs, its yours, you need to do what you want with it. Yes, I know that's easier said than done but you're not alone and we'll figure out how you can do it."

'I know. And I'm sorry. It's not...I don't expect you to come up with an answer to it.'

He thinks, but does not say, that he has given up trying to find an answer to it.

'The only thing I want, is to...'

A mess of thoughts then, because he doesn't really know. Betty, and a science lab. A pizzeria, and someone laughing, and friends, and a brief glimpse of a gravestone, and too much pain, which he immediately shuts off. The Arctic, and a gun resting in a huge green palm. The noise of an ice cliff falling into the sea. The vision of a thousand tons of ground cracking and falling away in front of him.

'I want to be happy I'm not dead. I'd take that. That's it. You know? But you're right, there are people here who know what it's like, and I'm glad about that. It's better than nothing. It's better than it was before.'

Think positive, right? Even if he doesn't feel it, yet. Maybe that'll come.

"And it will keep getting better, Bruce. This is the first step and I don't know how many others there will be, but you're not alone in taking them,"

The images hurt and Charles frowns at Bruce's pain.

'Yeah.'

He looks down at the ground. Adrenaline leaves him suddenly, and he's tired. But at least his mind feels more clear.

'I think I'm done.'

"Okay, whenever you want to talk again just leave me a note or come find me,"

Charles leans slightly forward to offer his hands or himself for a hug, he knows how important touch can be but its also hard to ask for.

He's pretty useless with contact, but he holds out a hand to shake. Without hesitation even, which is rare.

'Thanks. I mean it - it...it does help to talk about it.'

Awkward.

'If you leave your bill with the bar, I'll take care of it.'

Charles presses his hand firmly, "I will."

He'll have to figure out what's appropriate as he'd rather not change but knows it helps Bruce.

'I'll see you, Charles.'

He leaves straight away, and heads for the outside. Space is important, and he's got some stuff to think over.