...Ever As Before...
Steve walked through the halls searching for the two-some. He pushed lightly on the door containing Romanoff and Banner. They were smirking, enjoying eachother's company.
Rogers felt confused, why was she there again?
He felt completely awkward, entering into that room airing of herbal tea and coffee. "Romanoff, I'm sorry but Clint wants to talk to you. Something about a compound?"
She rolled her eyes, knowing what he meant. "Thank you Rogers, I'll be right out."
He nodded, glancing at Banner who went back to glancing over files, "And Stark wants help with his arc reactor? Something about a wire? I don't know, I'm sorry I'm not good at this stuff."
Bruce slid his belongings on the the table before standing up, "Don't worry, we won't shoot the messenger."
Steve smirked, it sounded like a compliment.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sure enough, Stark was looking downward, fiddling his forefinger over a wire emerging from his heart.
Bruce hesitated to walk in, not wanting to startle him. But Tony knew emediatly when he had entered, "Brucie, can you help me a quick second? I need to take this wire out and throw in a new one."
He nodded as if to say yeah, whatever.
Tony wanted to see him for a bit more then the obvious. He leaned back in his chair as his friend leaned over to take the wire from Tony's grip.
"So, big guy. Did you get that tea?"
Banner shook his head chuckling. Tony just wanted to hear a 'thank you' and steal credit for Natasha's small gesture of appreciation.
He bearly flinched as Bruce carefully removed the wire. He was such a professional!
Tony followed his work with his eyes. He had to feel like he was in charge despite Bruce already knowing what to do, "Be careful, don't let it touch those rims."
Within minutes, it was done. Carefully and accuratly. Tony smiled fastening his glowing circled back into his chest. He looked back at his friend washing his hands and in a bit of a haze.
"Uh, oh."
Bruce looked back at Stark, he had something to say.
He snickered before putting on his AC/DC shirt, "Someone's got the bug."
"What bug?"
He pointed walking towards the sink, "You my friend. What is it?"
"I don't know what your talking about." His innocence was adorable, but not when Stark wanted an honest answer.
"Hey. I saw 'Tasha giving you that little rub down, tossle your hair a little. I'm not blind Brucie."
Bruce narrowed his focus always being honest, "Look, I really don't know what your talking about."
The billionaire thought for a moment. Maybe he didn't. After all he'd usual have memory issues after transforming anyway. He decided to change his tactics, "She brought you up tea. You think she does that for Barton?"
He paused in his tracks, mouth opening to a smile, "No, no. Wait a minute, don't go there Tony."
That arrogant friend followed him. His smile wide, "I yeah, I think you want to go there!"
"I'm not kidding."
He thought for a moment, "Oh please! You just make sure you don't interfear with Robin Hood over there. He thinks he's still got Maid Marian under his belt. Ha! The archer's in for a surprise!"
Brue went back to wringing his hands, "Tony, I don't know what your going off about."
"Geez Bro! Is it that hard to believe someone might actually care about you?"
He remained quiet. Natasha? Romanoff? That little witch? WHY?! Why him? When he could break her, bend her, crush her...
Tony wrapped his arm around his shoulder despite his trying to politely pull away, "Bruce, come on. Don't be so hard on yourself."
He wasn't being hard on himself! He pulled away abruptly, "Your ok Tony right? I can go now?"
He glanced around the room. He hesitated, "Yeah. Why?"
He shook his head 'no'. Tony narrowed his focus, "Are you ok big guy?"
He could've sworn there were tears in his eyes. Dr. Banner nodded before dashing out from the room. Stark raised his arm to try and catch him, but he was gone before the inventor could say another word.
