You shuddered every word

[honeyibrokeharlem]

Who| Bruce and Belle
What| Bugging the Capitol and reconciling after Belle accidentally shot Bruce.
Where| The Training Center
When| Just before the blackout ends
Warnings/Notes| Mentions of past death and violence

Bruce's heart is thundering in his ears after he checks out the window for the millionth time, adrenaline pumping through his veins at what would be a dangerous rate outside of Panem and a roar in the back of his head. He placed all the bugs, re-purposed the communicator he had stolen, and gotten back without being spotted.

But he had sent a newly resurrected teenager out to do the same, and she hasn't come back yet.

"Damn it. Damn it." Why the hell had he sent her out in the first place? Is he that desperate to get something on the Capitol? What is he going to do if they catch her? He can't very well let them torture an innocent girl because he had been cold enough to send her out there.

Comments

[bravebargain]

Belle had actually been more than willing to help Bruce when he asked for assistance. It was partly because she still hadn't forgave herself for what she did back in the arena and felt indescribably bad for it. Their reunion had been so rushed and brief, leaving her without a chance to talk about past events or even properly apologize to the other man. The guilt and relief about that hanged painfully on her chest.

But more than that, it was her sense of right and wrong that made her agree so easily to put her own life to danger. She was angry with the Capitol and was ready to do anything that could help Tributes to gain more power over them.

She managed to plant all the bugs successfully, by carefully following Bruce's introductions, and turned to run back to the place where they had agreed to meet up again. Her heart was beating faster than ever before from fear and excitement. It was rather strange but the thrill she felt from acting against the Capitol was strong enough to suppress all her doubtful thoughts, working as a fuel to her conviction that she was doing the right thing.

"Bruce? Are you here?"

[honeyibrokeharlem]

Adrenaline was a drug, and it gave him a high. He was alert, ready to fight or fly, and every second seemed to eek by--all things he felt just before the pain of a transformation began. The Hulk roared in the back of his head, wanting to be let out, but (and here's something he never thought he'd think) the Capitol saved him and everyone around him.

The moment he heard Belle's voice, he spun around to face her, grabbing her arms with a little more force than necessary, looking her up and down for blood our bruises or any sign of being hurt. "Did anyone see you? Did anyone catch you?"

Just because she was there with him didn't mean the Capitol wasn't preparing to put a bullet through her head.

[bravebargain]

"Ah--" She let out a startled noise when Bruce suddenly grabbed her. She could feel his hands pressing against her arm harder than usually and while it didn't hurt her it was still enough to make her feel uncomfortable and .

"I-- no. It's fine." She spoke calmly as possible and tried to summon a smile to her face as she placed her hand on top of his. "It's fine. I'm fine, Bruce. No one saw me. We're safe."

[honeyibrokeharlem]

He let out an audible sigh of relief. "Thank God." He leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

And then he realized what he just did and immediately let her go, backing up a step and holding his hands up as his face warmed. "Sorry, didn't mean to do that. I just... thought I might have sent you to your death for a second there."

And he found the thought upsetting. Predictably.