((OPEN)) The teacher is in.

[hyperkinesia]

Who: Bruce Banner Robert Greene and YOU!
Where: all around Storybrooke
When: throughout the whole event
Rating: PG for now, possibly will change... most likely.
Summary: your favorite teacher being out and about and living a quiet boring life.
The Story:

OCT 24^TH TO 26^TH

[ Life in Storybrooke is... quiet. It's the same one day as it was the last, or the same as the one weeks past. Not that Robert complains, somehow he feels as if he'd yearned for something this peaceful for so long - and yet it feels so wrong.

He knows why, but he doesn't think too much about it. That whole period of his life he likes to keep buried deep or it might just poke its head back out to haunt him.

And in the meantime, avoiding was always his thing. He's good at it, incredibly so, and even with both he and Virginia living in the same small town he does manage to go days or weeks on end without so much as seeing her. Of course that might also be because he spends most of his time either at school or at home, that makes it a lot easier to not run into her at any and all times.

(He could always leave Storybrooke. But the few times that thought crossed his mind it was gone as soon as it was there. He'd never not been in Storybrooke, where else would he go?)

But on Sunday, he feels differently. That one day he feels a strange yearning though he doesn't know for what, so despite not having figured out what that is, he still goes outside, spends his whole day going from one place to the other, even so far as stepping closer to the town limits at one point. The playground, the grocery store, the pie place - he goes through every single place in search of something that's yet to reveal itself to him. ]


OCT 28^TH

[ Suddenly the weight of it all is maddening, and he's split between being two completely different people - Bruce and Robert - and he doesn't know where one ends, where the other begins. Actually, there's also a third, or should be at least. The Hulk, the massive green monster fueled by rage, and yet even now as he remembers this other life of his, the beast is still not in him, it's still not here.

Whether it's because Bruce is the actual lie, or because this is the product of a Wonderland event, he doesn't know. He tries not to think about that one detail too much, when so many other worries already plague his mind.

He remembers-- remembers names, people, or he remembers people from this place but with different names altogether. Looking at Virginia now is nearly impossible because all he can see is Pepper and he's remembered Tony too, and he can't think of either without being reminded of what they'd done just the day prior.

Then there's Natasha, and he's sure that's her name, it rings clear in his head and it had been one of the first that came to mind the night before. Yet here he is the day after and he doesn't know what to do. Does he talk to her, when he doesn't even know what's the truth and what's the lie? Should he wait, and avoid her like he's avoiding Virginia - Pepper - now?

How many other people had he forgotten for that while, how many of these lives are a lie?

Can a man who has two lives be in fact no one at all? ]

Comments

[handing]

[For a moment, with the laughter and the sarcasm alike, they have something easy and normal that Virginia has been yearning for, maybe without even realizing it. Each expression makes her smile, from the way he grins to the sudden shock in his eyes, as if he'd somehow forgotten he could laugh like that. Already she's starting to wonder if she can't find a reason to make a few extra trips around the grocery store--in truth they've likely already passed something she needs anyway. Virginia hasn't been paying attention to much of anything besides Robert, which is why she doesn't miss the look in his eyes after he too realizes that ring is gone from her finger.

It's all very odd, but does that mean it's also wrong? Robert looks away before she can say anything, smiling in that way that makes her feel like there's a door closed between them again. Yet despite that, he still says she's not alone, a thought which offers more comfort than perhaps he's intended. She doesn't want to be, and the truth is that whatever has caused this dream-within-a-dream awakening hasn't changed her mind.

Rather, it's leaving her free to wonder what if.]

I could show you. [No doubt the words seem out of place, and a moment later Virginia expands on the thought.] The outfit, I mean. It's no superhero costume, but if you wanted to see it. [If, always if, and she glances at him nervously, trying to guess if he knows what she's really asking. There's still a voice in her head chiding her, screaming that she's pushing too far too soon, she's only taken off Edward's ring that morning--yet how many days has she looked at it and wondered, watched the man walking with her now and thought the same?

Passed by the store with the dress on display, gone through the same routine over and over. If he says no, things can still be okay. But they've done this awkward dance with each other too many times; she's ready for the next song to start.]

Maybe tonight, if you didn't have any other plans?

[hyperkinesia]

[ It's an awakening of sorts, no doubt, and it feels like so to him too. Guilt fades and it's the strangest thing, like a weight that's been there since he can remember suddenly lifting, a veil that no longer shields things from his sight. Behind that curtain she stands, where he'd left her and the memory of her safely, respecting his friends' wishes as much as he was trying to protect himself.

But how long ago that need should have disappeared, and it was only the memory of Edward that he was trying to respect now, it feels. In good part, honestly, only because he didn't think this would be something she would want, even now.

Turns out he was wrong, it seems, and he realizes that the moment she makes her offer, blindsiding him entirely.

If he was trying to keep his imagination from providing images before, right now he either forgets that or chooses not to at all, and if normally there would be any guilt for wanting to give in and fall into all this with no hesitation, now he finds he doesn't feel like that anymore. And why should he, really? Why should he deny himself happiness when it's within his reach, only for the sake of his dead best friend's memory? ]

Yes. [ The response comes quick and thoughtless, his head snapping up as his eyes fix on her once more. Wide, surprised at himself as much as he is at her question, but he doesn't take it back - though he does trip a little over his own words when he speaks again. ] I mean, I... don't have plans. At all, no. So yes-- I'd like that.

[handing]

[He doesn't really leave her much time to be nervous; she's barely gotten the question out before he replies, so sudden and certain Virginia isn't sure she heard him at all. Maybe Robert feels the same way, his eyes fixing on her as if he's looking for confirmation of what he's said too. He doesn't take it back though, and she's glad. Her head dips forward for a moment, a soft laugh escaping her as he rambles through an answer that she supposes might be an attempt to sound less eager.

Attempt, not success.]

I would too. [Although she manages to keep her own excitement mostly in check, if only by contrast. But her smile has grown wide and bright, and maybe there's a moment when she actually bounces--just once, only for a second. The simple truth is that she's thrilled for this, the prospect of what might happen between them, especially given those glances and quick answers. Now her desire to linger in the store is replaced with an eagerness to have the evening come, although they do still have a few details to work out.]

Should we meet somewhere, or...? [Place and time, although Virginia is fairly flexible. More to the point, even if she weren't, he's definitely worth clearing her schedule for.]

[hyperkinesia]

[ Well, the effort's there, at least. But she doesn't seem to mind too much even as he completely fails to sound a little more casual, so he doesn't either. He just nods shyly instead, his eyes dropping to the ground despite himself, though he does force himself into looking back up at her eventually.

Eye contact - it's important, it matters, and he's sure Virginia likes that. Even if he can almost feel his own stomach tie into a knot whenever their glances meet. ]

I don't know. [ His words trail off into a thoughtful hum, quiet under his breath, as he gives himself a moment or two to think of something, a hand moving up to run his fingers through his own hair. And for that moment he worries too, whether it's too bold, too forward, but it isn't, is it? She did ask him first, he's sure he knows what the real question asked in-between the lines was, and she wouldn't have said that if she didn't want this as much as he does.

And she doesn't back down, she doesn't hesitate. So why would he, really? ]

Dinner... maybe? If that works for you. My place is... [ A mess, if he's to be honest, but the next few hours should be more than enough to make it presentable at the very least. ] Alright. If you're fine with that.

[handing]

[It's utterly adorable how Robert suddenly turns shy, when they've known each other for years. But that's the heart of the problem now, isn't it? They've known each other for so long, been friends even when they danced around the notion of being more--and now they're going to finally take that step. It's daunting to want something so much, then finally have it; she can't blame him for his butterflies when she has a few of her own. But most importantly, he's still trying, making the effort to look at her, thinking through what tonight would end up being.

It helps that he's pretty cute when he thinks, including the absent-minded tics. He also comes up with a pretty good idea.]

I am. [She'd even be fine with a little mess, if it really came down to it. But she's got some of her own preparations to do, and it's nice to not have the pressure of cooking and cleaning on top of them.] Would seven be okay? I can bring wine or something else if you'd like.

[Since this is a date, that should be an appropriate offer.]

[hyperkinesia]

[ There is absolutely nothing adorable about a grown man acting this way. But this is both thrilling and daunting, what once before had been a firmly shut and locked door now open suddenly, to so many possibilities, so many paths for them to tread. So he's shy, yes, but he's also nervous, admittedly afraid to take that first step down the road, even if he knows she'll be walking alongside him the whole way.

Because he knows with that, there'll be no turning back. And for someone who's lived in the same place for so long, lead the same kind of life and routine with no changes for so many years now, that's a heavy load, the realization that with this, his whole life will be changed more than ever before. ]

That's great, yes. [ He nods, smiles a little wider as he looks around them before adding with some amusement. ] Guess this means I do have some grocery shopping to make. So I'll, ah... see you later?

[ He turns around, nearly makes to walk away after they say their goodbyes, but just before he does he remembers the packet she took from his hands, so he turns right back around to pick it out of her cart. ] Sorry, I'll take this off your hands.

[ He takes a couple steps back with the box in his hand, a little too distracted so that when he turns he walks right into a cardboard display with some highlighted products on it. Luckily he manages to catch himself and it before it tips over and falls to the ground, and fixing it quickly he rounds it, glancing at her with an awkward and admittedly embarrassed smile as he resumes walking down the aisle.

Smooth. ]

[handing]

[To the contrary, she finds everything about this endearing. That he is so suddenly nervous speaks to his own excitement, and to the fact that this is important to him. In its own way she takes comfort in that, because it means that for both of them the possibilities are very real, and very desired. She can't truly name the last time she's felt this brand of elation; certainly no time in the recent past, when thinking of the evening to come makes her face light up with a smile.]

Yes, absolutely. [Although she's reluctant to leave him, Virginia knows it's a necessity. Still, it would seem it's not such a simple parting for either of them. Not when Robert takes his poor prop and nearly runs over a display. She's a few steps away but quick to turn around at the commotion, stiffing a laugh as he tries so hard to keep things from falling. So very smooth.

After that, time flows in a strange paradox of going too slowly and too quickly all at once. It seems like that afternoon takes far too long, at least until she prepares herself for the evening. Perhaps the black dress and embellished shoes are a bit too formal for dinner at someone's house, but she did promise to wear them--and part of her really does want to stun him on their first date.

Given the look on his face when he answers the door, Virginia thinks she might have succeeded.

Dinner goes equally well; he's a surprisingly good cook, and a little wine and time both ease her nerves as they talk on throughout the meal. She's in a particularly good place as they finish, her lower lip caught between her teeth though it does nothing to diminish her smile as she looks over at him.]

That was wonderful. Thank you. [She reaches across the short distance between them, her hand covering Robert's so she can give it a gentle squeeze. In truth she'd like to do more, but given how things had gone in the grocery store, she doesn't want to push for too much too fast. Better to see where he wants this to lead, and how far he's comfortable going first.]

[hyperkinesia]

[ Time flows strangely for him for the rest of the day too. On the one hand, while he's trying to clean up the house and prepare dinner time seems to fly right past him, making him think at times he might not be ready on time; on the other, whenever he gets a lull each minute he spends overthinking seems like an hour.

But the evening comes round, and he manages to get the place in more than decent condition. He keeps everything simple, from the meal and the tableware to his own look, going with plain dark pants and a shirt - which is why when he opens the door for Virginia, he feels incredibly underdressed.

Not that he lingers on that too long. She's stunning, and not only does he show it in his expression, but he also manages to babble it out, only embarrassing himself a little bit in the process.

The whole evening has a bit of a bumpy start, admittedly, the both of them so unused to this kind of thing, and more so unused to being around each other, but the wine and the food help smooth that along, and before they even realize it conversation flows easily between them, the both of them slipping into a comfortable place, being near each other like this.

Whatever worries Robert had about tonight, they're quick to vanish the longer they're together, and he finds himself relaxing, smiling and laughing, genuinely enjoying every little thing without a single unpleasant thought in sight. ]

I got lucky with the cooking, honestly. [ He's quick to respond to her touch, turning his hand around so he can curl his fingers around hers in return, not as hesitant as he'd normally be. There's more, so much more he'd like to do too, but... he doesn't know exactly how fast is too fast in their situation, and it feels strange to ask out of the blue, at least for now. ] And no need to thank me. It was my pleasure.

[handing]

Lucky? Does that mean I should be so optimistic about the next time you cook for me? [She leans forward a little as she teases him with a question that has no good answer, but a nice implication. Certainly she doesn't plan for this to be the last date they have, even if it does end soon. But that's still undecided, and when Robert takes her hand in his she glances down at where they touch, only for a moment before once more meeting his eyes.]

Believe me; the pleasure is very much shared.

[Oh, she wants so much more than a simple holding of hands. But with a table between them, certain things aren't so easily accomplished. So she tightens her fingers around his, a gentle squeeze and a promise both, before she starts to stand.] Why don't you let me clear the table? You can take our glasses into the living room; we can get comfortable and talk a bit more.

[Talk, or other things. But again, Virginia reminds herself that Robert may not be so ready for that. She doesn't want to push him into anything awkward, despite how adorable he tends to be when she takes him by surprise. She can, however, refuse to take no for an answer in this, gathering the dishes with ease and slipping into his kitchen to deposit them into the sink. It doesn't take long, a minute at most, then she's back at his side, sitting down next to him on the couch.]

[hyperkinesia]

[ His smile widens, a quiet chuckle slipping past at her question. ] Nothing wrong with a little hope, I think.

[ And he means it in more ways than one, though that might not be entirely clear. But Virgina's smart, maybe she'll figure that out with the way he brushes his thumb ever so lightly across her knuckles, and how he looks at her when his eyes flicker up to meet hers.

He doesn't oppose when she starts to stand up, releasing her hand with no reluctance when he knows she's not leaving, not yet at least, and she'll be next to him in a short while - maybe even closer than before, and without a table between them.

There's still a brief moment while he tries to help her, but she swats him off and all but sends him away, insisting that she's only taking the dishes to the kitchen, and he should just go sit down and wait for her. So he does, with no further argument, taking both glasses and the bottle of wine to the living room, settling down on the couch.

What little wine there's left he splits between both their glasses, setting the bottle down on the table, and when she comes back he looks up, unable to stop his gaze from lingering as she walks closer. at least he manages to regain some composure by the time she sits down next to him, though, and with a smile he hands her glass over to her. ] I filled it up, hope that's alright.

[handing]

[He watches her with an eager gaze, and in turn Virginia fights off nagging feelings of self-consciousness in favor of smiling at him. Though she might be aware of every flaw, his eyes speak only of appreciation for her. So if there's a touch more color to her cheeks when she sits next to Robert, well. He's entirely to blame for it.

Which doesn't make it at all a bad thing.]

Oh, that's fine; thank you. [She takes her glass, even goes so far as to steal a sip of the wine, although that's not at all where her interests lie. Even as she has her drink, her gaze is now on him, watching for some small sign of what he wants, what he's ready to allow them both to indulge in. She thinks about what he said just before she went off into the kitchen, the words about hope, their conversation through dinner and earlier. So many of her choices lately have felt like leaps, and yet none have ended with harsh regrets. In truth even this hardly feels real despite that it's happening, that he's close enough for her to touch and feel his warmth.]

You know, if you'd like, I think you can take a few more liberties. [So once more she throws herself into the unknown, setting her glass down next to the now empty bottle. She's far less interested in that now, and perhaps he might be too when she reaches for the one still in his hand. It's an opportunity for him to stop her should he wish, those last few seconds it takes to put his wine safely away, where it can be forgotten.

After all, she's already proved distracting for him. She wouldn't want whatever comes next to be interrupted by an accidental spill.]

[hyperkinesia]

[ If there are any flaws Robert sure can't see them, and were she to point them out he probably wouldn't think them to be flaws to begin with. If anything he feels himself of lesser value by comparison, even if he knows it to be a shallow thing to compare looks alone, and that that's not the reason why either of them is here right now.

She could've shown up in sweatpants and a baggy tee and her hair up in a lazy ponytail and he still would've wanted her company, cherished every moment of it. She's dressed to impress him, of course, and it worked brilliantly, even going so far as leaving him speechless when she'd first arrived, but it had never been a determining factor on his end.

And right now, although not speechless, he finds he can't take his eyes off her for long, and neither does he want to. Even less so when she smiles so sweetly in response, and the tint of a fluster spreads across her cheeks, all the more visible when she sits down next to him.

He takes a long sip himself, and immediately he's glad he swallows it down quickly, otherwise her words might have surprised him enough to make him choke on the wine. His eyes widen slightly still, looking at her as she puts her glass away, then takes the one in his hand to do the same - and no, there's no opposition on his end, and not because he's in stunned shock, but because he doesn't want to stop her, quite the contrary.

However, that still doesn't mean he knows what to say to that, or how to even approach this. ]

I... [ His mouth stays parted, though no other words come out for a moment. I thought it might be too soon, or We don't have to come to mind, among other things, but what ridiculous things to say, when he knows she wouldn't say that if she didn't want to, or if she wasn't alright with it.

So instead he nods, a little awkward when he shifts on the couch, but doing so anyway so he can move just a bit closer to her. ] I'd... like that.

[handing]

[Okay, given the sum total of everything that's happened, of each reaction he's had between their meeting in the store and her showing up in the door in her very flattering, very tempting dress, Virginia should probably expect that momentary breaking of his brain when she makes her offer. It's difficult not to be nervous in spite of it, however. There are risks and then there's this, when she's offered to share something with him she hasn't had since before Ed passed. Regardless of everything they've shared that evening, it could still be too much. Maybe he isn't so willing to take that last leap with her as she hoped, and as he shifts, she starts to think of some way to brush it off.

But he isn't moving away from her. No, Robert is drawing near, and as one hand reaches up to brush a stray lock of hair behind her ear, her worries fade away. She feels so strongly, cares so deeply for him, she can't help the way her smile goes bright with that sense of relief. She nods in easy agreement, her lower lip momentarily caught between her teeth as she too turns to better face him.]

Me too. [Just in case he needs to hear it again. She lifts a hand, rests it on his cheek while the other stays on the couch to support her weight. His skin feels warm under her touch, as do his lips, which she discovers with a brush of her thumb. One last leap, and Virginia leans slowly forward, letting her eyes close as her lips lightly press against his in their first kiss.]

[hyperkinesia]

[ He doesn't have any doubts about this on his end, not anymore, and his worries are quick to fade when it's so obvious that he's not the only one who wants this. His gaze falls to her mouth as she worries her lower lip under her teeth, his own smile a tinge bashful despite having little reason to.

Her thumb brushes lightly along his lips and he breathes in sharply, eyes flickering up at the touch, though it's brief. A moment after she leans closer, and he does the same, thoughtless and eager as he closes his eyes too and presses his lips to hers, air trapped in his lungs for as long as he can manage, though eventually he remembers that he does need to breathe.

One of his hands remains on the couch too for support, while the other moves up to settle on her neck, cupping part of her jaw. Fingertips sifting lightly through her hair strands, he tilts his head while shifting closer, slow and tentatively deepening the kiss. ]