Bruce Confession Short Story:
"Hey Bruce, I bought your coffee. Unless you want to leave it and refuel on sleep like a normal person?" You ask, hinting at his abnormal science marathons. He'd been learning the habit from Tony. You loved Tony, him being one of your best friends, but everyone who knew him, knew he was prone to no sleep, no food and surviving on coffee when he had a science marathon. Bruce was becoming the same and you walk in with coffee the way he likes it as he wakes up.
"Hey (Y/N). Did I fall asleep again?" Bruce asked, cringing. If it weren't for you, he probably wouldn't take care of himself properly. You were the person to go to when Bruce wouldn't stop working and to be honest, you didn't mind. You actually really liked it. It was fun. Of course, having an actual job was better but knowing that you were that person, like Pepper was to Tony, it made you smile. Sometimes, you had to stop yourself from getting caught up with him in a whirlwind of science. His excited smile when he realises something about the project he's working on and his unintelligible scribbles on any piece of paper he could get his hands on. You'd taken to keeping a pad of paper with you at any time.
"Yep. I don't know how long you went for this time, because I was on holiday, but I was called back early for you." You admit, remembering the call from Pepper. She tried to take care of them both, but she could barely manage Tony. You'd set up a call protocol with JARVIS that if no one else could get Bruce away from the lab and to go to sleep, you would be called, no matter where or when you were. Your phone was always with you in case of these cases which happened quite often. The same incident had happened this time when you were on holiday in Spain and had gotten the call. There was a 6 hour time difference so it had been 10:00 in the Tower, it was 4:00 for you in Spain when you got the call. You got on the next flight available and gave away your ticket to the football game with a bit of money to the hotel owner. It was a thrill in Spain but you were needed back in the Tower. "JARVIS?" You ask, hoping the AI made a record.
"Dr Banner has been working in the lab for 72 hours, only taking various coffee and toilet breaks." JARVIS informed to a cringing Bruce and angry you.
"72 hours! Seriously Bruce? Bloody 3 days! With no breaks? For God's sake! I can't leave you alone for a minute can I?" You shout, your anger bubbling over as you put your head in your hands. "You know what? Just go have a shower and sleep. I will check on you and if you aren't in bed, I swear you will regret it." You threaten to an apologetic Bruce. You love him but he needs to take care of himself more than his projects. "I'll put everything away, you know I am the only one here who can actually make out your scribbles." You mutter, walking over to him.
"Sorry (Y/N), I just was in the middle of this amazing project about…" Bruce carries on talking about his project as you guide him to the showers and lay everything out for him, including his clothes and a spare brush. He looks a mess, but you just nod, adding in ideas and handing him the pad of paper as he scribbles more ideas. When he's finally in the shower, you make your way down and drink the coffee you brought for him. You had rushed here as fast as you could the second you'd gotten off the plane. Even your bags were in the lab by the side. You knew Tony would let you stay the night if things got too late for you to get back to your flat. He always did. The coffee gave you a boost and you managed to clean the lab in Bruce's shower time as he came wondering back in looking much better. "Hey (Y/N), how's it going?" He asked, looking ready for another science marathon with you ready to collapse on the stool next to him.
"Fine. Just had to rush back from Spain at 4:00 then basically time travelled backwards to get here and get you in the shower." You summarised, your tone as bitter as the coffee you finished.
"Sorry, I just had…" Bruce started to apologise again, but you cut him off.
"Amazing project, I know. You told me. But right now, you need to sleep and so do I." You admonish him.
"But I'm ready now. I'm showered and dressed and I can just get a coffee." Bruce pointed out as you gave him a look.
"No. If I have to start my job again so soon, I want to have some sleep and I know you do too. Now, are you going to go or am I going to have to drag you kicking and screaming?" You ask, your tone leaving no room for argument.
"Fine, but I won't actually sleep you know." He pointed out, still trying to fight you low key.
"Then I'll sedate you." You say, as you manage to get up in your tired state. Bruce ran to help you and you gratefully put an arm around him as you make your way up to the stairs. You'd made a thing of walking up the stairs to try and stay healthy.
"So how was Spain?" Bruce asked, still supporting you as you stumble up, one stair at a time.
"You mean the time I spent there?" You ask rhetorically, smiling at Bruce's apologetic look. "Yeah it was great. I saw so many wonderful stalls and got a taste of some proper spice." You laugh, knowing that a lot of the food wasn't as spicy as people make it out to be. "But I especially loved the people there. They were so kind and everyone I asked for directions gave them straight away." You smile remembering the elderly couple with their granddaughter who thankfully spoke enough English to help you. "I did miss a football game, but I don't mind. Had to get back for you didn't I? And the smile that lit up that hotel owner's face when I gave them my ticket and money to buy another was worth it." You tell him, your smile lighting up your face in the process as Bruce watches you.
"You gave up your ticket to the hotel owner?" Bruce asked, wonder written across his features as you grab the banister to steady yourself.
"Yeah, I was rushing out of the hotel, I couldn't just leave the ticket in the bin or something. It took all of my courage to approach them and give them the ticket." You recount, remembering trying to psyche yourself up to approach them in the first place.
"I'm so sorry I made you leave early. I should've gone to sleep." Bruce apologised again as you smiled at him.
"It's fine Bruce. You've apologised several times already, that's why I love you, so kind." You say without registering what you said properly.
"You love me?" Bruce asks, his confusion obvious and if you were a little more aware and awake, you might've noticed the glimmer of hope as well.
"Course I do, you're my best friend. I know you've got the Avengers and all, but I do count you as a friend. My bestie." You laugh, joking with him. Your head is aching and you feel woozy but you know that you just need to get Bruce to bed and then you can rest yourself. Bruce is silent after that and you get to him to his room as you try and wake yourself up enough to get to your room. You collapse on the bed and fall asleep, lulled into dreams of Spain and the football game seeing Bruce there with you. The beeping of an alarm clock wake you and you hear JARVIS talking.
"Miss (L/N), Mr Stark would like to talk to you." JARVIS repeats when it becomes clear that you hadn't heard him.
"Ok, give me, 10 minutes." You say trying to make proper sentences. Your head is still woozy and you can't think properly.
"I will inform Mr Stark, Miss (L/N)." JARVIS says in reply.
"Thanks JARVIS." You mutter, not expecting him to hear you. You manage to pull the covers off of you and crawl out of bed to splash enough cold water on you to make you wake up. You go for jeans and a simple butterfly t-shirt that had a beautiful pattern. It was given to you by your sister and one of the few clothes she's ever willingly given you that were hers. You love and treasure it and its one of your favourites. You choose a simple ponytail and brush it quickly before the 10 minutes are up. Tony being Tony takes your words literally and actually times you. You manage to get your boots on and are out of the door just before Tony comes down the hallway. "You wanted to see me Tony?" You ask, trying to stay upright after almost falling flat on your face from your rush.
"Hey (Y/N)! How've you been? How was your holiday?" He asks, wrapping you in a hug that you gladly reciprocate. Tony may be an ass sometimes, but he's still your best friend, just like you consider all of the Avengers. Although that may not be reciprocated, you don't mind. You would still do anything for them.
"Hey Tony. I'm great. My holiday was fantastic, but it did get cut short by the call I got about Bruce from Pepper. I missed my football game but I did see all of the tourist destinations like the Royal Palace and La Concha, I saw but thankfully did not participate in the Running of the Bulls." You recount, leaving a gap in the conversation for Tony to barge in.
"Aw, that would've been fantastic if you ran as well." Tony says, his smile widening at the thought.
"No it wouldn't! I would've been crushed in the first 10 seconds!" You say, remembering how scary it was but seeing the appeal at the same time. Tony just 'meh's' and you tap him on the arm. "Anyway, I also went to the Aqueduct of Segovia, it was amazing, the monument is so well kept and in the setting sun it was so romantic. There was a couple who proposed to each other there! It was so cute." You gush, remembering the perfect setting and how beautiful it was. "I also managed to squeeze in a quick visit to Cuenca and saw the cliffs, trying to manage my vertigo." You say, remembering the locals bringing you to the edge. You got so scared and your entire body was tingling with thrill or fear, you couldn't really tell. "Yeah, like I said, I missed my football game but gave my ticket and the rest of my money to the hotel owner who'd been so amazing to me." You say, smiling at the thought. You'd told this story about 3 times already, but you didn't tire of it.
"That's the (Y/N) I know, so sickeningly sweet." Tony quipped, his smile turning into a laugh when he sees your face.
"Thanks." You deadpan and tap him on his arm again as you walk to the main area where everyone's hanging out. As you walk in everyone notices you and calls your name or smiles in your direction. But the most noticeable is Thor's booming voice.
"Lady (Y/N)!" He calls drowning everyone else as he strides across the room to envelope you in a huge hug. You can feel him crushing your bones and squeezing the breath out of you but you still try to move your arms to go around him to represent some sort of hug and that you aren't doing anything against him.
"Thor, I think you've killed her enough." Natasha quipped, sitting on the sofa, trying not to laugh.
"Sorry Lady (Y/N), I sometimes forget my Asgardian strength." He apologises and let's go.
"It's alright Thor, I don't mind. I'm glad you're happy to see me." You say, not wanting to hurt the adjusting Asgardian's feelings. He beams at you and you know you've said the right thing.
"Hey (Y/N), how was your holiday?" Steve asks coming up to you to hold the conversation. He doesn't like to make the first move for some reason so you always have to be the person to hug him first. So you do, and he politely responds, keeping his arms around your neck instead. It is pretty awkward but you don't mind. Steve is just too kind to hug a woman. That isn't his mother, you add in your thoughts.
"It was great, but I've just explained the whole thing like twice already, ask Tony. He'll tell you won't he?" You say, turning to Tony, wanting breakfast. He nods and goes to the main stage, in front of the T.V. and starts to talk. You smile at his antics and move away from Steve to go to Clint.
"Hey Clint, what's up?" You ask, hugging him as well, the archer was another one of your best friends. You felt like the entire Avengers were your best friends but you didn't want to assume.
"Nothing much, I'm just going to train or finally fill in the mission report Fury has been on my ass about." Clint responded, after they pulled apart from the hug.
"Not going to listen to Tony's warped stories about my holiday?" You ask, laughing as you hear him tell them about you riding a bull.
"No thanks, I'd rather hear the correct ones from you later. Plus I've already finished the last of the Coco Pops." He says, earning him a gasp as you run to the kitchen to check. Being from England you love them and brought them here when you got your job here. Tony was kind enough to always supply you with enough here but then you'd introduced Clint to them and he'd become addicted as well. It had become a constant morning battle for the last of the Coco Pops and this time he'd beaten you. You frantically search the cupboards and find nothing making you run back out to Clint who was standing there laughing.
"You pig! How could you? I've just had to suffer a week without them and you leave no Coco Pops for me?" You shout, tapping him on the arm as he laughs harder.
"You snooze, you lose." Clint stated simply as he walked off with you shouting obscenities after him.
"Pig." You mutter walking back into the kitchen to find something else to eat. Bruce sees you and starts to laugh. "Shut up Bruce." You say, tapping his arm as well. It's a normal thing around here for you.
"Sorry, I just haven't seen you so mad about Coco Pops before." He says, as you smile as well.
"Well I have missed out on them and was looking forward to them." You defend.
"It's a good thing I got another box then isn't it?" Bruce says, pulling out another box from the cupboard next to him. You gasp in delight and rush to hug him.
"Yes! Thanks Bruce!" You shout, engulfing him a hug. He manages to stay upright and hug you back with buttery fingers from his toast. "How did you know he would take the last of the Coco Pops?" You ask, after you've pulled away.
"Because he's Clint. And the amount you both eat anyway, you would need another box." Bruce quipped, earning him another tap.
"Yeah whatever." You dismiss, too focused on the Coco Pops as you slip back into our routine and pour yourself a bowl of the chocolate rice. "You coming?" You ask, gesturing back to the main area where Tony was still talking.
"Sure, let's see what Tony has warped about your trip." He smiles at you as he gets up from his seat to follow you. You sit next to each other on the already squished sofa, trying not to spill your cereal. Tony is already busy talking about how you got proposed to making you choke on your cereal.
"Proposal?" You choke out. "Idiot, not me! There were others there and they proposed to each other in the romantic setting of the Aqueduct of Segovia." You set the story straight as Tony just shrugs it off.
"Same thing." He says, as you roll your eyes.
"What else has he said?" You ask, wanting to set it all straight.
"You rode a bull." Natasha says.
"You met the Royals in the Royal Palace." Thor says, with wonder in his eyes, believing what Tony says, not fully understanding that Tony was joking. "Were they in regal clothing?" He asks and you almost hate to break the illusion.
"You also swam with whales at La Concha. And fell off the cliffs in Cuenca." Steve added, with a smile on his face as Thor turned with horror on his face. Steve was becoming adjusted to the 21st century and was learning how to make this stuff up as well. Thor, not really. He had taken Loki back to Asgard and came back for a visit, and hadn't gotten used to 'Man of Iron's' humour yet. Or Capsicle's it seems.
"I hadn't heard that part. Are you alright Lady (Y/N)?" Thor turns back to you and you wince while Bruce is chuckling behind you. You set down your cereal and tap Bruce behind you without looking and speak to Thor.
"Thor, I'm sorry but none of that actually happened. Tony and Steve were joking." You say, spitting out Steve and Tony's names with venom and a glare at them. Steve has the manners to apologise and Tony still just shrugs. "Seriously Tony? You're not even going to apologise?" You ask him, your arms folded as he just shrugs again. "Idiot." You mutter turning back to Thor who is still thinking.
"So, none of what Man of Iron and the Captain said about your trip was true?" He confirms as you almost wince again.
"No." You drag out, as he speaks again.
"It was all a jest?" He asks, and you glare at Steve behind him.
"Yes. Sorry Thor." You say, as Thor goes silent. "I'll tell you guys what happened properly another time. Now, I need to go work and make a few phone calls." You say, getting up, bringing your cereal with you. "Sorry Thor." You apologise, feeling bad for not falling off the cliffs. "I'll deal with you two later." You glare at Steve and Tony as you walk out.
"I'll help. Got nothing better to do." Natasha adds, making you turn around and smile gratefully at her.
"Thanks. They deserve it right?" You ask and Natasha nods. You have a friendship with her but it isn't nearly as strong as any of the others. But you are still grateful it is there. You walk into the elevator and start to eat some more of your cereal leaving them all there, talking to JARVIS about what you could do to get them back. "What do you think JARVIS? I could steal Cap's shield. But Tony is a harder target." You ask the AI as he automatically takes you to the lab.
"I agree Miss (L/N)." JARVIS says. "The shield is Captain Rogers' most prized possession. The armour would be Mr Stark's but he has several always changing safeguards on it." JARVIS informs as the cogs in your brain start to tick.
"I've got an idea JARVIS, but please tell Tony to stop listening in and if Steve is there as well, tell him I'm ashamed of his behaviour and expected better." You say, catching them both off guard as they lean closer to the screen. They both move back immediately and bump their heads on each other. You smile as JARVIS tells you what happened and talk normally with him leaving out the prank until the doors open.
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