Chapter Text
Bruce met Oz in passing. At least at first, it was in passing. Bruce was still on the run, making his way through South America, a broken Calcutta behind him and nothing more then the stolen clothes on his back. He had his head down and his shoulders hunched trying to make himself disappear. He was only three days out of the states, to close for comfort, wandering through an open market, the sound of people haggling in spanish washing over him as he went. Bruce had his eyes on the ground when he heard a sound behind him, the click from the hammer of a gun being pulled back locking into place. A sound he had learnt far too well. The rage roared inside.
Run Run Run RUN! Bruce’s brain called to himself while the Other Guy rang out in a demand of release. Gotta get away, get away from the people! Bruce continued on blindly pushing through the merchants and customers, trying to find an out. As He moved through another row of stalls, Bruce looked down at his clenched hands, panicking at the green pallor in them. Oh God Oh God Oh God. Distracted in his own mind he didn’t notice as he barreled into the arms of a man.
Bruce began to struggle, but the hold continued.
“Calm man calm”. His restrain called, his grip surprisingly strong. “What do you need?”
“Out.” it came strained with huffing breaths “Need out. Away.”
“Out, out I can do.” The strong hold pulled Bruce along, speeding through the last of the market breaking into the open away from the people. I was finally then that the arms broke their hold and Bruce ran forward, the Other Guy taking over.
It wouldn’t be till later when Bruce came back, holding the tattered remains of his clothing around himself that he stopped to think about his saviour. Abnormally strong for his size, to maneuver Bruce though the way he had. The mystery man was shorter than Bruce’s 5’8, his arms skinny. The accent was American, the tone even, and the help so welcome.
Bruce went onward, thoughts of his savior pushed aside as the all inclusive need to continue moved him into the night.