When Love Goes Wrong

Chapter 2: Afternoon "You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This"

This chapter gets a little steamy... ;) Hope you enjoy it and sorry it's long.... I decided to call this chapter after Toby Keith's song "You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This" because it sounds like Bruce and Adeen. ^^

Adeen was very alert all day. Dark bags were under her eyes and her head heavy from lack of sleep. She walked alone outside only to bump into Steve and Tony. She jumped from the sudden impact, feeling her heart racing in her chest. The two guys looked at her as if she were crazy and with concern. They could tell something was troubling Adeen judging by her lack of focus.

"Are you all right, Adeen?" Steve and Tony both inquired, exchanging glances at one another.

Adeen nodded her head, clearing her throat to ease the discomfort of the situation.

"Yes, I'm all right...sorry...excuse me..."

She quickly shoved past them, trying to get as far away from the two Avengers. Adeen glanced behind her shoulder to see if they had continued walking when she felt her body impact into someone else. She gasped and quickly turned her head to see Bruce in front of her. Bruce staggered back from the impact slightly, pushing his glasses back on his face. He glanced down to see who had run into him seeing that it was Adeen. A weak smile appeared on his face, still remembering what had happened last night.

"Hi, Adeen..."

"Hi, Bruce...um...are you all right? Last night you-"

"You want to take a walk with me?" he interrupted stoically.

"Um...um...sure..." she nervously answered with a bashful smile on her face.

They started walking through the courtyard. The two were silent for a while. Adeen glanced up at him once in a while sensing something was off about Bruce. He wasn't his usual self today. He was far too quiet, more than usual, he looked as though he hadn't gotten much rest, and he just seemed sad. Adeen hated seeing Bruce look so upset, especially when she could have potentially caused him distress. Clearing his throat, Adeen was brought back to his attention as she saw he was going to be the one to break the silence.

"Are you okay? You look exhausted."

"I didn't get much sleep last night...this whole thing has really...got me worked up...I don't want him coming around here and making my life miserable again... I don't want anymore people getting hurt..."

"I understand...it has to be rough when a person you love, or in your case, once loved, doesn't care about your feelings anymore..."

Adeen realized he was pointing that phrase in her direction. She stopped in her tracks and tugged at his arm. He stopped but continued facing straight ahead; his head hanging low. It was evident he was hurt no matter how hard he tried to hide it with his stoic composure. Adeen could feel the pain, sorrow, and jealousy, with her empathy, clawing at him from the inside. She could feel the tears build up in her eyes knowing it had been her fault for his sadness.

"Bruce, last night, I didn't know...you were-"

"Do you even care how I feel about it? Because I don't think you do. Adeen, you...have no idea how much I-"

Bruce started shaking a little, the Hulk pounding at the back of his head, trying to escape. Adeen took his hand into hers and squeezed it, not wanting him to turn there and at that moment.

"Bruce...calm down, and I will explain to you how I feel, okay? I'll answer any questions you have. You just have to calm down, hon...all right?"

Bruce began to calm down somewhat, knowing he could not lose control here. He sat down on a bench and tiredly rubbed the bridge of his nose, pushing his glasses up his face. Bruce slowly took his glasses off and placed them in his front shirt pocket. Adeen sat beside him, keeping her grip on his free hand she had been holding. Adeen could tell this wasn't going to be an easy conversation to have with him, considering he was her best friend. She brushed her thumb gently against the back of his hand, resting her other hand on his knee.