[Filtered to Herbert]

[greenmoonrising]

[Lots of ink splotches from where he's been holding the quill over the page while trying to write, chewing on his lip the whole time]

Hey.

Are you all right? You've been scarce...



Did I do something to pi offe





Did I piss you off, somehow? I haven't seen you in days and that's a bit weird when we're in the same dorm...

Comments

[preanimator]

I've had a lot to get done. It seemed like an opportune time, as everyone else has been busy.

[greenmoonrising]

Oh, okay.









How's it going then?

Strikethrough readable, but it'll take some squinting.

[preanimator]

Well.

[Which is odd in and of itself - Herbert LOVES to talk about his work.]

And how are things with you?

You seem happy.

[greenmoonrising]

[Takes a moment to stare at the struck-out text.]

That's good.

I'm okay. Some student tried to transfigure their pet cat into a lion in the dorms the other day but that got sorted after a while...

Um, I was wondering if you maybe wanted to work on the Potions essay together this weekend?

[preanimator]

[No, this is not what is supposed to happen. Bruce isn't meant to want to do anything with him, that's too hard to deal with.]

Don't you want to do it with Stark? I thought you would be attached at the hip with him now, and I'd rather avoid his presence if at all possible.

[greenmoonrising]

[Takes a moment to facepalm at being in a dorm room with geniuses who can tell everything without anyone saying a word.]

I guess you heard about that... I don't need to be stuck on him 24/7 and I like hanging out with you. I mean, that's what friends do, right?

[preanimator]

[Oh, Bruce, it doesn't take a genius to see Tony's incredibly obvious body language, or to note how happy you've seemed lately.]

I guess so.

[greenmoonrising]

So... do you want to do it?

[preanimator]

I suppose so. When?

[greenmoonrising]

Do you have anything on Saturday in the afternoon?

[preanimator]

[he knows he's going to regret this, but]

No. Meet in the library, then?

[greenmoonrising]

Really? Awesome! :) We can go after lunch then, you okay with that?

[Can you hear the excited puppy in him? Can you? EH?]

[preanimator]

[He can, and you need to stop that, Bruce, that's charming and therefore NOT FAIR.]

Yes, that's fine.

[greenmoonrising]

[Nope, can't stop, won't stop.]

Great, I'll see you when I see you! :)

[preanimator]

[Which will be Saturday around lunch? Because Herbert's going to keep being scarce, it's his oh-so-healthy way of not dealing with things. But he will be there Saturday, with his book bag and everything, though he only shows up at the very end of the meal, and doesn't seem particularly interested in eating.]

Almost done?

[greenmoonrising]

[Glances up from his book, apple core in hand. He brightens immediately on seeing Herbert, grinning and putting his book away in his bag, dropping the apple core on his empty plate.]

Hey! [Looks a bit quizzical for a moment.]

Have you had lunch?

[preanimator]

I'll eat later. [small, very subdued smile in greeting, but already turning away, assuming Bruce will follow]

[greenmoonrising]

[Bruce smiled and scrambled to his feet, grabbing two apples off the table and following Herbert, pressing one ruby red fruit into the boy's hand.]

Here, so you don't forget later.

[preanimator]

[Herbert tries very hard not to flinch when Bruce's fingers inadvertently brush against his palm as he hands him the apple. Holding on to his composure, he tucks the fruit away into his bag.] Thank you, but you really needn't bother. I can take care of myself.

[greenmoonrising]

[Frowns a bit at Herbert's response but shrugs it off and follows quietly]

You bother to make the trip to the Shrieking Shack for me, the least I can do is give you an apple.

[preanimator]

That's different. I'm not sick. [stubbornly, hunching his shoulders in a little] Anyway, have you started the research for the essay yet at all?

[Such a smooth topic transition, he is the SMOOTHEST.]

[greenmoonrising]

[Falters again and answers quietly:] Um... yes, I'm almost done with my rough draft...

[preanimator]

[relaxes just a little] Good. Did you look at the Wrexham text? It has some really useful bits on the use of insects to increase the longevity of certain draughts.

[And if possible? Herbert is going to keep things totally focused on schoolwork. Which is a little unusual for him - he might not be a chatterbox or collector of gossip, but he usually is a little more personal than this. He isn't really smiling at all, either, which is not strange for him with other people, but he usual loosens up a bit around Bruce, and he doesn't seem to be doing that.]

[greenmoonrising]

Yeah? I'll have a look at that then... [Seems subdued with Herbert's stand-offish behaviour. Trying to figure out what he did to invite this attitude towards him.]

[preanimator]

[Once they get to the library. Herbert's all business. He does seem to relax a little when they are talking about the essay, and he seems a little more like his normal self, but he'll start becoming animated and then seem to remember himself, pulling in again. He doesn't seem angry, particularly - that's easy to tell, because he gets pissy and vocal when he's angry - just ... uncomfortable, and a little tired.

Poor Bruce, all you did was do the same thing you've done most of the time you've known Herbert - be in love with Tony Stark.]