Bruce Confession Short Story P4:
"I'm going to my office." You say, pointing behind you before walking in the same direction. Your office welcomes you with open arms as you sink into our favourite chair and pull out your phone. Maybe you could play a few games and try not to break down. You turn on the screen and see a message from Liv. You look at it, and it just says two words. Common, probably used all the time but right now, you couldn't bring yourself to lie to it, like you'd done so many times before. "You alright?" It said.
"No." You replied, one word that said so much. You couldn't lie right now, you were too emotionally and mentally drained. Exhaustion was the main feeling taking over your battered body.
"Why not?" The words popped up on the screen a few moments later and you looked at them. You couldn't reply, because you didn't know. You needed to talk it over so instead of texting, you decided to call her.
"Liv?" You asked as soon as she picked up seconds later. You didn't know why but you needed to check it was her and hear her voice again.
"Yeah, why? What's wrong?" She asked, confused and you couldn't help but break down. It started as a sigh but turned into a sob, tears accompanying it moments later. Your long eyelashes caught the droplets and returned them to your cheeks seconds later when you blinked, creating twin tears. This was a normal occurrence for you and didn't do anything but make you feel worse as the tears travelled, making your whole face wet. Liv heard the tears and got worried. "(Y/N)? What is it? What's wrong?" She asked, sounding like your mother.
"I don't want to lie anymore." You decide, taking a shaky breath and trying to think of the words to tell Liv what you do. "Liv, I'm going to tell you what I do for a living." You say, hoping you'll follow through with the stated intent. "I am a SHIELD scientist. Yes, the one that works with the Avengers. And yes, I know the Avengers. The Bruce you were talking to the other day? Dr Bruce Banner." You say, answering most of the questions you know she is waiting to ask.
"Seriously? That's so cool! Is that why you never told me? It was that classified? Are you one of the lead scientists? And what do you work on? And what is Bruce like?" Liv asked, the bombarding of questions obviously anticipated by you. You needed something to remind you how amazing your life is and how you shouldn't be crying. "But most importantly," She says as you are about to answer, making you think she's going to ask about the guys on the team. "Why are you upset?" Liv asked, making you swallow hard. This was something she should've anticipated.
"I am a lead scientist, I can't tell you what I work on and yeah, that is why it was classified. But, why I'm upset is a whole different matter and an incredibly long story." You say, sighing as you mentally recount what happened throughout the day.
"I got time. I am a fat pregnant woman with nothing else to do except wait for the baby. I'm bored as and need something to spend my time with. Plus, you just gave me the perfect excuse to also not go out with the neighbours. I mean honestly, they don't understand that I am pregnant. Meaning no alcohol." Liv complained and you could hear her eye rolls from the Tower.
"Fine, but I hope you're ready for this because this is one hell of a story." You warn, blowing out a breath. "I got called back from Spain by Pepper Potts, the CEO of Tony Stark's business and his girlfriend, yeah I know her as well. She manages Tony, while I manage Bruce. He and Tony usually go on these science marathons and normally I am there to stop them from spending days without proper food, water and sleep. But this time I was in Spain and no one could get Bruce to move, so they called me. I came back and cleaned up the lab, made him take a shower and get some decent sleep. The next morning I caught up with the rest of the team, Tony, Thor, Clint, Natasha etc. Then I made my way down to the lab and spent the day on paperwork, you and Bruce. Then, today, I got woken up by JARVIS, Tony's AI system who is the best. He told me that I was late for my meeting with Director Fury, my boss, the most intimidating guy you will ever meet. I got there in record time, after an awkward encounter with Bruce." You add, meaning to think it and not say it.
"What awkward encounter?" Liv interrupts and you curse inwardly.
"I'd rather not say." You counter, hoping she would leave it. Of course not.
"Come on! I've been amazing with this bombshell you decided to drop on me and you reward me with that? Nothing?" Liv moans and you give in easily.
"Alright, I was putting on some light make-up in the elevator and dropped my paperwork everywhere. The doors opened and Bruce was going down to the lab at the same time. But he picked everything up as I sorted it out. Then my hair got in my face as it is in a bun, you remember and I kept trying to brush it out of the way with my shoulder as I ordered my paperwork but then Bruce brushed it away with his hand and it stayed there. I relaxed into the warmth and didn't look up until I found myself blanking at everything and saw Bruce who immediately retracted the hand. Obviously we got up and I said thanks and went to Fury's office." You recount, revealing more than you meant to but dismissing the thought. What was the point of hiding anything now? You were telling her everything, so why hide details.
"Omg! That's so cute!" Liv squealed before regaining her composure. "Soz, carry on." She said as you waited, a small smile gracing your features as you heard Liv's happiness.
"Then when I got to Fury's office, he said I could visit you with the holidays I didn't use, getting back to Bruce." You stop, letting her take in the information.
"Yes! That's amazing! Man, we got to time this right though, because I want you to be at the birth and still meet your niece or nephew." Liv spoke, probably already planning it in her mind.
"Yeah, but that's not all. He said I could become an Avenger. He wants to promote me." You state simply, quite frankly over that news. What happened with Bruce was much more of a big deal and you wanted her opinion on it.
"Wow! That's amazing! What did you say?" Liv asked, more interested in what came next, her sister senses telling her that the story was far from reaching its climax.
"I asked for some time to think about it and then I left, going back to the lab lost in my thoughts. Bruce snapped me out of it, scared for me and then I told him what happened after we sat down. He basically read my mind. Then it turned into an argument because I thought I wasn't good enough for the Avengers. Then he tried to reassure me that I would be the best for the Avengers and I obviously didn't believe him. He never believed me when his self-esteem was low and I tried to boost it, telling him anyone would be lucky to have him, which they would." You assure, leaving a moment in between, time enough for Liv to interrupt.
"Anyone. Anyone like you?" Liv suggested, leaving you speechless. You tried to say something, only resulting in stammering and 'um'. "Relax. Joke, but seriously. Think about it." Liv says, her tone serious for the first time in a long time. It wasn't angry serious, it was caring.
"Ok." You reply hesitantly, unsure of what else to say. "Then he said I was wrong about anyone loving him. We argued about the fact he was an amazing person behind the whole Hulk thing and he was more than just the Hulk. He's Dr Banner, than amazing scientist I have grown to know and love." You say, quoting what you said earlier. "Then-" You start, wanting to tell the rest of the story before being interrupted by Liv again.
"Wait what? Know and LOVE?" Liv emphasised and you could practically see her eyes popping out of her head. It was normal. You could imagine all of her facial expressions when she spoke, having been so accustomed to them. "You love him?" She whisper-shouted.
"No! I mean yes! I mean, like as a friend! Not like that! I don't think at least." You reply uncertainly, second guessing every word she said. Liv's assumptions always did that to her.
"Uh huh, that makes total sense. Whatever, we'll talk about this afterwards. What else happened?" Liv replied sarcastically, smiling at her younger sister's awkwardness. She remembered meeting Jason for the first time, he was kind but very flirty making her smile a lot yet never overstepping the line. She couldn't deny that she liked him at first sight and the love came later.
"Then after my long speech he assured me of how good I am as well and I thanked him, giving him a hug. We just stood there, hugging for about a minute or so." You finish simply, not knowing what else to say. "Then I came here knowing he wasn't ready to say anything else and called you." You add filling in the gaps.
"Wow, the amount of sexual tension between you two, whoo!" Liv blew out a breath, fanning herself with her hand, making you start to laugh.
"Um, no, no, not like that. I don't know what you are talking about sis, you are going a bit crazy with the whole pregnancy thing you are. You need to lie down." You say, dismissing her comment.
"Yeah, because with a month left, that obviously means I need to lie down in wait. Crap that's what I am doing." Liv realised what she had said, allowing you a victory.
"See? You should listen to me and don't bring up that stuff, I don't need that in my life right now. That is way too much." You dismiss, trying to ignore the fluttering of your heart at the idea of you and Bruce. You don't know what it would be like, and you didn't want to mess up your friendship. You respected and loved it too much to mess it up for a potentially failed relationship.
"Not like that you ass." Liv replied, wanting to talk about this.
"Ass? What happened to your British accent you arse?" You say, remembering how posh she and you could sound at moments. You both had very posh parents and spoke with an accent that apparently was similar to the Queen's although it was probably because you both just were cleverer than the other students.
"Whatever. What I mean is do you like Bruce? Like, do you like-like him?" Liv asked, her mind going crazy with the thought that her little sister could like the Hulk. What made her laugh most was imagining their mother's face when she explained what had happened and how the Hulk was her boyfriend. That was endless fun. She could spend hours of the day just laughing and imagining what would happen in different situations of her telling their mother. But what made her stop was the nature of their argument. Her little sister saw who the Hulk was. That he wasn't just the Hulk. That he was Dr Bruce Banner, the scientist and that made her smile all over again. It was just too cute.
"I don't know. I mean, he's cute and everything and he's definitely the best man I've met in a long time and he is clever, I mean you should see him when he starts to talk about science and then he is too cute when he tries to convince me that he can stay up longer and stuff and-" You carried on, thinking about how great Bruce was and then realising what you were saying. "I mean, he's great but I don't know." You finish, trying to dash the idea instead of fuelling it.
"You mean you're head over heels in love with him and haven't realised it yourself because you are too blind and don't like to think about it." Liv summarised, making your heart skip a beat.
"Yeah, but he's not looking for love or anything. He's too scared of himself for that, even though I keep telling him he's perfect. He's not ready for that. And I definitely won't push him, that wouldn't be fair." You decide, firmly speaking what you thought. You knew it was the right decision, even if it killed you inside.
"Man, why are you so good? That is the correct decision but it isn't the coolest one." Liv sighed, giving in. Why did this happen? Why would this guy be so scared of himself even though he was awesome? She couldn't know but she knew she couldn't pressurise him and her sister to be together when he wasn't ready. It wasn't fair, you were right as much as she hated it.
"Because someone has to be sometimes." You quip, wanting to move on. You needed to think of something else other than your new-discovered feelings for Bruce. You couldn't think about that right now.
"Ha, very funny." Liv spoke, about to continue but was interrupted by JARVIS who spoke up at that moment.
"Miss (L/N), the party is about to start in an hour." JARVIS informed, cutting Liv off as she was about to speak.
"Who's that?" Liv asked, obviously annoyed that he cut her off.
"Oh, that's just JARVIS, the AI I told you about. He's really nice, say hi to my sister JARVIS." You ask, having become friends with the AI. He was one of the first friends she'd actually made around the tower and yes, she did count him as a friend because he wasn't just an AI.
"Hello Miss (L/N)'s sister. How are you?" JARVIS asked, making Liv laugh.
"Hello JARVIS, I am fine, how are you? Sorry, it's just I have never had an AI talk to me before let alone, ask me how I am doing." Liv justified, hoping he wouldn't be offended.
"I understand I can be quite a shock to people speaking to me for the first time. I am well, thank you for asking." JARVIS replied, his tone polite as ever.
"Sorry, but is that a British accent I can hear?" Liv asked, fully aware she was talking to an AI, but not really caring as she spoke politely and happily as ever.
"Yes, I was designed after Mr Stark's butler, called Edwin Jarvis, although Mr Stark used the letters to make an acronym. He calls me Just A Rather Very Intelligent System." JARVIS told Liv over the phone, who you were surprised wasn't actually fainting at this point.
"OMG! This is awesome. Sorry JARVIS, I'm not sure I will be able to get over this." Liv apologised again, still trying to keep her cool.
"I understand Miss (L/N), however I think the proper reason for your disbelieving and excited nature may be your pregnancy. You are becoming hormonal and emotional easily and this could be the reason for your reaction." JARVIS explained as Liv gasped.
"Ok JARVIS, thank you for your input but I think this conversation should stop otherwise Liv might just faint and Jason isn't there." You say, laughing at Liv's silence.
"Of course Miss (L/N)." JARVIS spoke, withdrawing immediately.
"Liv? I need your fashion advice. I need something for this party and your fashion advice because it's the best I know." You ask, knowing she was better at fashion while you just wore something you found comfortable.
"Of course, this is an emergency. Facetime me and then I can see what you are thinking about wearing." Liv ordered, snapping out of it. You smile complying as you walk up to your room, preferring to take the stairs as you fiddled with your phone. No one ever used the stairs and you found it useful for time like this when you wanted to go a bit faster. Not that JARVIS wasn't fast but you felt like going off your own steam would be faster. "Finally! You took your time. Ok, show me the options." Liv spoke, getting straight to business once you had finally worked out what to do with the app to get it to work.
"Um, just warning you, my dresses are quite limited." You say, hoping you wouldn't have to face a lecture from Liv. Hers were worse than your mother's and trust yourself, you had suffered enough of them to know.
"Fine, I'll brace myself but know I can mix and match if I have to." Liv spoke, knowing how serious you were. Your dress collection wasn't the largest or most stylish despite your salary. Simply because you didn't like them and barely ever wore them so you saw no need for a dress.
"Ok, here we go." You say, turning the phone to the wardrobe you'd actually unpacked and picked out the few dresses you have. There is a dark blue one, with ruffles at the bottom, a 40's dress and a lace top covering to the top that was laced with beads to sparkle underneath the light. There was another black one with no jewels but one strap across the left shoulder and it flowed nicely down to the bottom. Elegant, normal but formal and not happy at all. There was another red one that had so many jewels over the bodice that it was practically a disco ball. It had a nice flow but Liv told you to either throw it out immediately or make major adjustments. There was another red one that had different layers of material as it went down to the feet, covering nicely. It had a lace covering like before over the top and for the arms going down to the wrists and had a nice feel to the material, a nice necklace, some earrings, maybe some high heels and Liv deemed the outfit complete. It did take you the rest of the hour to get everything else done though.
You had to wash and dry your hair, letting it fall past your shoulders in the normal waves it came to whenever it was air dried and then brushed to make it softer but still cute in waves. You pinned a few locks back in some sort of style that only Liv knew and applied a bit heavier make up. You still went for lip gloss, not wanting to dry out your lips, with mascara and eyeliner like normal but light red eyeshadow that matched the outfit. You had red heels that gave you a bit of height although not much and you could still walk comfortably in them, although the practice was much appreciated. Once you'd put on the jewellery your sister had bought you years ago, still in the packet, you looked great. The jewellery was a simple but stylish necklace, the silver jewels shining in the light and still highlighting the one jewel in the middle which you kept grasping for comfort. Your earrings were curved slightly in the style and adjourned with the same amount of jewels helping them sparkle as well. You didn't bother with your hands, preferring not to have a ring on or any bracelets. You just cleaned up your nails a bit while waiting for your hair to dry. The skin around your nails was starting to peel off again and you cut it back so it wasn't so visible and made you nails softer with a nice manicure instructed by Liv of course who took the order as an opportunity to do her own nails.
"My work here is finally done." Liv sighed happily, looking at you as you held the phone flipping the camera view so she could see you in the mirror. You looked at yourself and smiled at your reflection. You never really cared before and knew that this was going to get incredibly annoying later in the evening but you also knew that this was the Avengers Tower and you knew them and that they wouldn't mind if you took it all off later and just changed back into normal clothes. But you did like feeling like a princess for a minute, twirling the different layers between your fingers as they hugged your curves.
"Thanks Liv. I couldn't have done it without you. You're the best." You thank Liv who just smiles happily as you turn the camera view back to you and smile back.
"I know I'm the best. I just need to wait this thing out and get my daily entertainment from my awesome little sis who's finally going to get a boyfriend because I made her look so cute." Liv smirked at you while your mouth opened and closed with no words coming out. "Close your mouth (Y/N), we are not codfish." Liv mock scolded, her smile widening as you realised what she'd done. Mary Poppins was your favourite film and you knew practically every line. You mouthed along to most of them and sang the songs off by heart, even the dialogue in between them that went by extremely quickly. So, you always used it against her, not the other way around. That was not how it went.
"I've told you why not. And I will stick to it." You say firmly as you can talking to a pixelated image on the phone.
"I know, I know. But still, he would be mad not to take a chance with you looking like this." Liv complimented in her own way, smiling again trying to appeal to you and get back into your good books.
"Thanks Liv. I know that was a compliment to you." You say sarcastically. "But seriously though, thank for the help. Love you." You say to Liv as you stick to one of your routines. You used to share a room with her and always before you went to sleep before her, wished her a good night's sleep and told her you loved her.
"Love you too." Liv reciprocated. It took her some time to actually say it back and you didn't know if it was simply because of her emotional state because of her pregnancy, or because she was actually getting better at saying stuff like this. You smiled at her before ending the call. You play a few games on your phone before JARVIS informs you the party has started.
6
