Stanner
Doughnutshop AU
Alright, Anon. Here we go. This was a lot of fun, and I need to branch out in my writing. AU is not normally my thing, so this will be a full fic. :)
Professor Banner walked into the Doughnut Shoppe on Friday afternoon. It was late August, only a few days before orientation and he had finished a whole ton of work for his anthropology classes. Hopefully, he'd only have to worry about grading papers until Christmas. So, to treat himself for a job well done, he decided to check out the neighborhood's new cafe. The bell chimed as he stepped into the red and gold themed shoppe.
The rush hour hadn't started (thankfully) and the place seemed empty. Bruce looked around at the round, metal tables and red, high-backed chairs. The walls were decorated with pictures of old fashioned cars and Elvis. He walked up to the counter to see a man with well tanned skin and dark hair, counting a stack of receipts. He wore a black baker's jacket and a red apron and hat.
When he saw Dr. Banner approach the counter, the young man straightened up and smiled one of those disarming, mess-with-your-head smiles. "Well, good after noon. Welcome to the Doughnut Shoppe. Are you good to order, or will you need a minute?"
Bruce looked down at the guy's name tag. "Uh. I'll need a second or two. Thanks, Tony." And then, he looked up. As a professor and researcher, Bruce's bad eye sight worsened with each year. So when he first saw the young baker, he saw an average, handsome face. But up close, Bruce was unprepared. Golden flecks of curiosity and intelligence shone from dark, hazel eyes. High cheek bones were complemented by a well trimmed, jet black goatee. Pearl teeth sat perfectly in a row as he smiled.
Tony nodded and continued to count.
Bruce hoped the heat he felt in his face didn't show. His anxiety rose a bit and he swallowed to keep it down. He must have looked ridiculous, shifting like a nut-job and he had to read the menu six times before any of it sank in. "Um. Y-yeah. Hi." Why was he so nervous? "I'll take a green tea and two maple glazed doughnuts."
Tony punched in the order on the old fashioned register. "That's $3.25. You work at the University?" He asked, making small talk.
"Uh... yeah." Bruce fumbled with his wallet slightly. "I teach anthropology."
The baker's eyes lit up and he pulled two doughnuts off the racks. "Cultural or forensic?" He bagged the pastries and placed them on the counter.
"Um. Both. I couldn't choose in grad school so I got a Doctorate in both." He handed Tony a five dollar bill. "I've worked here for six years, but I don't remember this place." Finally, he could remember how to talk properly.
"I graduated as a pastry chef a while back. I always wanted my own shop and a college campus seemed like the choice location. I opened a week ago." He handed over the change. "Let me get that coffee." This young man exuded confidence. His posture was straight and strong and his smile never wavered. Bruce felt like an imbecile talking to this guy, and he had two doctorates.
He gave Tony a nervous smile as he took the coffee and bag. "Well, I'm sure I'll see you around."
The chef flashed him a killer smile and extended his hand. "See you next time..." He trailed off.
"Oh." The professor forgot his manners and shook Tony's hand. "Bruce. Dr. Bruce Banner."
…. …. …. ….
So yeah. I took the time to fully edit this and not look like a fool. So, that's good. Waiting for my Samulet to dry.