sixwordstories | (no subject)

[...oops, he had snuck down to the gym, hoping it would be empty. Maybe if he backs up quietly, she won't notice and disturb the position she's in...]

[Fat chance of that, Bruce. The yoga is driving her crazy with the focus and stillness - she much rather punch a bag. So she hears him and glances over at him.]

Hey, Bruce.

[He freezes on the stairs with the guilty look of someone caught in the act. Turning back to greet her in turn.]

Hey.

[a beat]

You look really uncomfortable.

[Carol laughs at that before breaking her pose and just sitting down on the mat.]

You could say that again. I don't think that yoga was meant for me.

[A beat.]

You're up late.

[He nods a reply, finally coming back down the stairs.]

Or early.

[She assumes he hasn't slept yet....she's probably right.]

Good point.

[Though she suspects late. A lot of people on the team had a terrible habit of not sleeping.]

I don't mind company, if you don't.

You seem pretty occupied.

[He was really just sneaking down here thinking nobody would be here at this hour. He should have suspected someone would be up. Or trying to learn yoga.]

Really, I don't mind. I could use a reason not to yoga anymore.

[She gives a shrug.]

Unless you want to be alone. I can do that, too.

[He's always alone, in one way or another. However, he's been warming up to this idea of a team...or trying to.]

If you're wanting a sparring partner, maybe I'll take a raincheck.

[He's mostly kidding. Walking back down the stairs to the floor she's on.]

[Carol is still getting used to a team, but she's always liked being around others. Plus Bruce doesn't scare her.]

Sparring or we could just...yoga? Or watch TV. I'm not picky.

[He wouldn't even know what shows were on, he's completely out of that loop.]

Actually, that's something I would rather do...alone.

[Yoga was a necessary evil for him, not an exercise. Or even fun, as she's no doubt finding out.]

Okay.

[Now she feels like she's the one intruding. She will start rolling up her mat now.]

I will leave you to it, then.

[Great, good one Bruce. He waves off her leaving idea.]

No, no, it's fine. Really. [Yoga had to be better than breaking things, right? Things like Tony's tower.] I was going to run on the treadmill actually...if I can find it.

[Not like everything was easily found when it was this technologically advanced. Probably pops out of the wall or floor, if Stark had anything to say about it.]

Oh! I can help you there.

[Carol stops rolling up the mat and then springs up and goes to call the treadmill out of the wall. He was right, it is hidden.]

If you see me royaly screwing up a position, will you let me know?

Oh.

[Nope, he wouldn't have found that. He approaches it, touching a button experimentally and hoping it was the right one to turn it on. So far, so good. He almost smiles at the question.]

If you're not relaxed, then it's not right. Not so much the position that is wrong.

[It was only marginally helpful at best to Bruce, but he would take that margin when it came to the Hulk.]

It's hard for me. I feel like I ought to be moving. But okay. Relaxed.

[Carol smoothes out the mat before getting back down on it. She tries an easy pose, something she can stay relaxed in.]

[Meanwhile, Bruce tries to adjust the settings on the treadmill. Way too fast to begin with, it's a good thing he wasn't standing on it at the time. But finally, he finds a pace he can work with. Running at least was movement and burned off energy.

The wall in front turns into a facsimile of the road moving along as he ran. Nice touch, Stark.]

[Carol tries to focus on her positions, her breathing, all of the regular yoga mumbo jumbo. She's hoping that a little clarity will help her reach the next level of her capabilities, because she has already bench pressed just about everything in the tower. It's definitely not about strength for her anymore.]

I think if you press the blue button you can change the scenery that you're running through.