>>This makes me sad for Hulk, that Bruce can't recognize he's capable of love.<<
It is sad. Part of that is because Bruce is just plain lousy at reading emotions. Part is because he thinks of Hulk as a beast. Part is because he doesn't consider himself very lovable and thinks he's too screwed up to love anyone properly. But that doesn't stop Bruce-and-Hulk from loving Betty, or her from loving and accepting both halves, which interestingly Bruce does appreciate. It's a very complicated mess.
>> This is an amazing (super : )!) case of dissociation. <<
It is, and I'm glad that it's coming across that way. Hulk contains a great deal of what Bruce considers unacceptable or unobtainable.
>> Actually it's sad for Bruce, of course, because they're basically the same person... or facets of the same person. <<
Bruce and Hulk are two personalities within the same body, aspected into different forms depending on who's fronting at the time. They share a common background, some basic memories, and certain core traits. But a lot of the memories diverge and so do many their strengths and weaknesses, which means even the common features tend to get expressed differently. Think of them as a coin: two different faces but one background between them.
>> In a way, Bruce has become one of his own incomplete identities, because he's a man without anger who can't (won't?) process his own negative feelings. <<
Aaaand, bingo! I think you're the first person to realize that Bruce is no more complete unto himself than Hulk is. Bruce relies on Hulk to handle threats and emotions; he is neither good at nor comfortable with those things on his own.
In order for them to build a more healthy relationship, they need to improve their communication -- but they also need to take on at least some more of the tasks they've been handing off to each other. It's that or switch front every time and Bruce doesn't want that. So he'll have to learn more about processing emotions on his own, rather than just suppressing them into the Hulk-trashcan. Hulk is already learning more about discernment and considering options before he acts.
>>Good luck Phil... I think Bruce is the more traumatized of all the Avengers.<<
Yes, I tend to see Bruce-and-Hulk as the most broken, based on the amount of damage visible in canon.
>> Thanks for this great, thought provoking story! <<
You're welcome! I'm glad you like it, and I enjoy the feedback.
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dancing_serpent
You're welcome!
Date: 2013-04-18 03:38 am (UTC)It is sad. Part of that is because Bruce is just plain lousy at reading emotions. Part is because he thinks of Hulk as a beast. Part is because he doesn't consider himself very lovable and thinks he's too screwed up to love anyone properly. But that doesn't stop Bruce-and-Hulk from loving Betty, or her from loving and accepting both halves, which interestingly Bruce does appreciate. It's a very complicated mess.
>> This is an amazing (super : )!) case of dissociation. <<
It is, and I'm glad that it's coming across that way. Hulk contains a great deal of what Bruce considers unacceptable or unobtainable.
>> Actually it's sad for Bruce, of course, because they're basically the same person... or facets of the same person. <<
Bruce and Hulk are two personalities within the same body, aspected into different forms depending on who's fronting at the time. They share a common background, some basic memories, and certain core traits. But a lot of the memories diverge and so do many their strengths and weaknesses, which means even the common features tend to get expressed differently. Think of them as a coin: two different faces but one background between them.
>> In a way, Bruce has become one of his own incomplete identities, because he's a man without anger who can't (won't?) process his own negative feelings. <<
Aaaand, bingo! I think you're the first person to realize that Bruce is no more complete unto himself than Hulk is. Bruce relies on Hulk to handle threats and emotions; he is neither good at nor comfortable with those things on his own.
In order for them to build a more healthy relationship, they need to improve their communication -- but they also need to take on at least some more of the tasks they've been handing off to each other. It's that or switch front every time and Bruce doesn't want that. So he'll have to learn more about processing emotions on his own, rather than just suppressing them into the Hulk-trashcan. Hulk is already learning more about discernment and considering options before he acts.
>>Good luck Phil... I think Bruce is the more traumatized of all the Avengers.<<
Yes, I tend to see Bruce-and-Hulk as the most broken, based on the amount of damage visible in canon.
>> Thanks for this great, thought provoking story! <<
You're welcome! I'm glad you like it, and I enjoy the feedback.