Another adorable one. Hope you guys aren't fluffed out right now from last chapter, because I'm keeping the mushiness coming. This chapter starts at the beginning of last chapter, but is told by the extremely cuddly Bruce. Not much happens here, but we bring situations and emotions full circle. And I felt like that needed to happen.

I'm glad some of you got to see that adorable Sesame Street video, and I hope you giggled half as much as I did. "I LOVED that teddy bear."

Disclaimer: I don't own the Avengers. I do own Lily. She's athsleeep agaaain.

_-x-_

*Bruce*

Waking up is never this perfect for me. I tried hard not to think about how long it's been since the last morning like this. But really, I don't know if there ever was one.

Lily curled up against me, curly hair tickling my face, a hand on my chest.

And, well… I stayed. How could I not? Judging by the look on Lily's face last night, she was extremely embarrassed by this entire situation.

She didn't need to feel that way, though. I like her a whole lot. She seems to like me a comparable amount. We're good with cuddling, right?

It's a bit too late to consider leaving, judging by the sunlight coming through the window. There's no going back.

Especially with all of this adorable sleeping on me.

I could feel her body tense next to mine, and her heart started speeding up. I looked down at her new level of pale and sighed. The lack of health going on with Lily is driving me insane; knowing she deserves better than this.

Her breathing was sporadic and her heart was pounding. I listened in to the breaths she took until I didn't have anything to listen to. She wasn't breathing at all.

"Lily?" I whispered, feeling my own heart pick up speed.

She shot up in the bed, gasping for air and clutching the sheets. All of the calm involved with waking up was gone and replaced with panic.

"What's wrong?" I questioned, sitting up further and taking her face into my hands. She was completely petrified. Her hands were shaking.

"I… I just…," she tried, her eyes filling up.

God, no. I can't watch her cry like this. I'll cry. Frantically searching for something to say or do, a tear rolled down her cheek and onto my hand.

So I did the most logical thing I could think of. Hugging her.

I pulled her into my lap and started rubbing the hell out of her back. She laid her head on my shoulder and let out a round of tears.

What's happening to her? Something a bit more intense than being stabbed, I'm gathering. I'd love for her to tell me. I'd love being trusted with something as deep as this. But I'm prepared to wait.

Loki must know, considering that it's probably his fault, and I can't help but be a little jealous of him at this point, him knowing everything about her that I don't.

I'm sure there are things I wouldn't enjoy learning about, hearing the brief explanation of her parents, but I couldn't say anything different about myself. She probably wouldn't enjoy figuring too much of me out, for all of my horrible past.

She stopped crying after a few minutes, and her heart was now beating a normal rate.

"You stayed," she mumbled with a slight amount of disbelief in her voice.

"I take it you're okay with that?" I laughed quietly, slowing down the back rub.

She pulled her head out of my shoulder and nodded.

Good job there Bruce, right decision made.

"I can't stand it when you cry," I murmured, tucking a curl that landed on her nose behind her ear. She smiled and blushed the littlest bit.

Lily went into a little bit of a daydream, one that made her blush a little bit more. I wonder if she's thinking of the last time she cried in front of me. That is, well… a blush inducing thought.

Let's change the subject here. Maybe the fact that she feels like a space heater is a good place to start.

"You're burning up," I said while feeling her forehead with the back of my hand. She was at least a few degrees hotter than yesterday, and she was pretty hot then. This can only mean the infection hasn't gotten any better, and probably much worse. Time to check on that leg.

I lifted her leg as gently as possible and started unwrapping the gauze. Again, there was blood coming through the bottom layer.

"Look up for me?" I asked her gently. She looked up at the ceiling and counted the tiles, based on the numbers she barely mouthed. God, she's cute.

This leg. I can barely look at it anymore. It's swollen, inflamed, and it hasn't even began healing. And it absolutely kills me to know I could've done this – and worse- just as easily as Loki. I don't know if she saw the other guy, or if he saw her for that matter. I can't help but think I'd be treating more than a stab wound if they did meet.

"Worse?" she asked, noticing my upset expression.

Let's focus on the positive here. "Well, the rash is much better," I started confidently, "but the infection's a little bit… worse."

"Great," her voice cracked, "The Second Aid kit is in the kitchen, isn't it?" And she's about to cry again.

"That's where I left it," I smiled weakly, now wishing I'd brought it in here.

She gave me a queasy smile and swung her legs off the edge of the bed, using me as a support. She put all of her weight on the good leg and almost lost her balance.

"There's no way I'm gonna let you walk like this," I stood up in front of her, blocking her path. The protective side of me did a flip.

She bit her lip in thought, "Well… I don't want to stay in bed all day."

Hmm. Good point has been made by the short sicken barista. Then how am I getting her into the living room?

"Okay then," I whispered, "I'll carry you," I put an arm around her shoulders and another under her knees, and carried her out into the living room.

Her cheeks turned unnaturally red. But to be fair, I was carrying her bridal style. And implying things like that will cause most people to blush.

I set her down on the unoccupied couch, with the other housing a sleeping Thor. The Second Aid kit was found under Tony's blanket, which I gave to Lily. She wrapped up in it within seconds and stopped shaking shortly after.

Looking at that leg, I knew that cleaning and antibacterial cream wouldn't be helping her much at all. So I searched the pill cabinet for antibiotics, finding things I hoped to never see inside in the process.

"Banner, what is the time?" a groggy Thor asked me, not seeing the clock on the oven.

"10:47, Thor."

He grunted and mumbled something about breakfast, instantly pulling out bread from the pantry and inspecting the toaster.

I finally found the pills, located behind a medicine I REFUSE to acknowledge. Against my better judgment, I left Thor alone in the kitchen to help Lily. I could deal with the consequences later.

She swallowed the pills quickly and with barely any water. I know an experienced pill swallower when I see one, and Lily seemed to know what she was doing. Another part of her past I could learn.

How can I help her now, other than just waiting for the antibiotics to take effect? There aren't sterile needles to stitch her up with, and even if there were, I wouldn't without something to knock her out completely.

I'm good with these things normally; I've sewed up worse without any kind of medicine at all. But now it's Lily, and that alone is making this impossible. Completely defeated, I cleaned it off and started wrapping again.

"I drowned," Lily said abruptly.

"You what?" I asked, dropping the gauze on the floor.

"I had a dream last night, and I drowned," she said, turning her head over to look at me.

It's safe to say that my heart rate doubled in that moment. Thinking of Lily drowning, just… it doesn't work. I can't even try that. I don't want to believe that could ever happen at all.

It does, however, explain the gasping that scared the hell out of me this morning.

"That's why you couldn't breathe when you woke up, isn't it?"

She swallowed and nodded.

Too bad we're in Manhattan, which is pretty well surrounded with water.

I picked the gauze back up and finished wrapping the now clean wound, still shook up by the thought of Lily drowning.

"Hungry?" I asked, hearing a little rumble from her stomach.

She smiled weakly, "Yeah."

I scooped her up, blanket and all, and headed for the kitchen to make her breakfast. I didn't have to look down to know she was blushing.

_-x-_

"THESE APPLIANCES MAKE ME PROUD."

Thor could get by pretty well in this place, I have a feeling. He wouldn't have to step on any toasters or "modify" the Kitchen-Aid.

And Lily liked my eggs. Score.

"My hair feels disgusting," she mumbled while pulling on a slightly oily curl.

Disgusting? Never. Her hair is completely beautiful. "It looks fantastic," I smiled.

She smiled back, "It needs washed."

"Does it need washed?"

"Yes, my hair needs washed."

"That's an opinion," I countered.

"My opinion," she rolled her eyes a little bit, put off by my intentionally difficult behavior.

"Your opinion."

"Can you carry me to the shower now?"

I grinned, putting our plates in the sink and moving over to carry Lily to a shower.

_-x-_

After explaining to Lily the importance of not washing her leg, getting towels, and finding extra shampoo for the extra huge amount of hair on her head, I left her to shower alone.

"Thor?" I asked the passed out man on the floor, hoping he wasn't comatose.

"Mrrnagh."

I sighed, gently kicking his side. "Laying like that will make you feel worse," I lied, wanting an excuse to talk to him.

He grumbled a few minutes more before sitting on a bar stool at the island of the kitchen. His stomach was bigger than usual, considering how much he just ate.

"Try coffee. It'll settle your stomach," I lied again, looking down at the newspaper on the counter and seeing nothing worth reading.

He got up, found the beans and filters, and filled the pot to the brim. I silently wondered how much he plans on drinking.

On the subject of coffee, I guess now would be a better time to ask than ever, considering how little time I spend away from Lily.

"Thor, did she… see me?"

Thor stopped the process of scooping the beans. "She sees you every day," he swallowed.

Now he's going back to the stupid act, and making this harder for me as a result.

"Did she see… him?"

He paused, letting me prepare myself for the very worst. "She saw him."

I swallowed, trying to take this in. "Did he hurt her?"

"No."

"Did he try?"

"No."

"Can you respond with more than one word?"

Thor smiled and turned to face me, "He stopped beating me and just stared at her."

Well. I can't blame myself for staring, considering how easy she can be to stare at. But stopping me from beating up Thor, that's different. It takes a serious distraction to stop the Hulk from smashing.

"What did she do?"

Thor chuckled, "She tried to touch his hand."

What? She didn't run away? She didn't scream? Well, considering it is Lily, I would've expected a less blatant way of being afraid. She would've stayed calm and waited until I was done, and then gotten as far away as possible.

But she didn't.

Thor was in the refrigerator now, pulling out broccoli and mayonnaise. "He would have let her touch his hand, too."

Okay then. This makes her officially amazing.

I need to hug her now. We haven't hugged in a full three hours.

She is taking quite long with that shower, which is a bit troubling. I hope she's okay, though showers tend to be pretty safe.

Other than the risk of drowning.

Drowning.

I accidentally shoved the bar stool down and ran down the hallway, headed towards the room she, or we, slept in.

Regardless of the panic, I knew she could be indecent, so I knocked. "Lily?"

"Yeah?" she answered. I almost knocked the door down, to her dismay.

There she was, breathing, fully dressed, and combing her beautiful hair.

"Whew, God. You're okay," I let out the breath I'd been holding.

"Why would I not be okay?" she smiled, finding my protective nature cute. Most people do; I'm aware.

"Just the shower water. With the dream, and everything..." I mustered, suddenly finding this whole situation a little bit pointless. The chances of drowning in a shower are slim.

"Oh. I'm fine," she scratched the back of her neck and being awkward and embarrassed by my worrying, like always.

I should leave before I make this situation any more uncomfortable than it already is.

"Good," I smiled awkwardly, starting to close the door to the room.

"Bruce?" she called right before the door was closed.

I opened it up all the way, "Yeah?"

"Thanks for worrying about that," she started, "And for the eggs, and carrying me around everywhere, and treating my leg, and staying last night, and… yeah. Thanks for everything."

I paused for a minute, drinking in what she just said. "You're welcome… for everything."

And thank you for not shitting yourself when you saw my alter ego, I silently added.

Her cheeks were bright red and her eyes were glued to the floor. How that much cute can fit into one person is completely beyond me.

"Can we hug now?"

She giggled, "You still don't have to ask."

I walked over and wrapped both arms around her as tight as possible, swaying from side to side. There's actually someone in this world that isn't terrified of me.

It's just my luck that she's smart, funny, adorable, and apparently enjoys hugging me.

"Thor's making broccoli salad for you," I murmured against the top of her head.

"Are they married yet?" she laughed.

"He's waiting for you to do that. He's not a vegetable priest."

Yeah. She's pretty cute.

_-x-_

Lily's phone rattled against the table. She looked up, but didn't seem to have any intentions of answering it. I picked it up and tapped the screen, lighting it up.

New Message from Tony

Hide her. Now.

I swallowed, feeling my heart rate go up knowing what was next.

What am I hiding her from?

Loki, of course. Btw, there is a possessed scientist on the roof ready to unleash an Asgardian army. We could use your help out here.

I tossed Thor the phone to bring him up to speed and moved over to Lily.

"Lily, I need to hide you," I said, preparing to pick her up.

"Why?" she asked, holding onto my shirt. I kicked the Second Aid kit out of the way, trying to ignore how bad of a feeling I had in my gut right now.

I swallowed, "He's coming."

A little bit of fear, maybe panic, showed in her eyes. If she starts crying right now, I cannot be held responsible for my actions.

"Just stay calm, okay?" I whispered, nudging the elevator button with my elbow.

"Where am I hiding?" she asked, still holding on to my shirt and not staying calm at all.

"The basement has the best security, so you're going there," I said gently, trying not to emphasize the 'you're'.

"Where are you going?" she whispered, the most adorably innocent look in her eyes.

"I have to help them," I said finally, wishing I could eat those words and stay with her.

Do they really need me? Would I make a difference? Of course I would. I'd probably do a lot of good by going out there.

But if Loki hurts her at all, in any way, for any reason, I honestly don't know what will happen. I don't know what will happen to me, to him, to her. It's all up in the air.

And to think I could take away all of those variables by just staying with her. It makes me feel horrible beyond measure.

I put Lily down next to a chair and a desk to hide under, if need be.

"Stay safe," I said, kissing her forehead even when she's not about to sleep.

She put a hand on my neck and took a half step forward. "You stay safe too."

I got that feeling in my stomach. You know how it is. When it all just flips and turns in the best way possible. I leaned forward-

And then we kissed.

The worry wasn't quite happening anymore in this moment. It was pretty far gone to be exact, and replaced by emotions I refuse to name.

Emotions I haven't felt in years I refuse to count.

"Banner, we must make hast-"

She pondered backing away for a moment, I could feel it plainly.

Just, no. This isn't ending just because Thor decided to be awkward. I pulled her closer and resumed the former activities.

But when we finally break away, the moment is over and the worry is back. Regardless of how perfect that just felt. And the number of cloud I'm sitting on right now.

"I could've done that earlier," I smirked.

She smiled, "Days ago."

I pressed my lips to her forehead a second time and jogged to the elevator. Thor was standing there all pink-faced and what not, avoiding eye contact. He pushed the ground level button with an awkward cough.

"You okay?" I asked, just to make sure Thor wasn't mentally scarred by the images in his head.

"Verily," he said in a higher voice than usual, still refusing to look me in the eye.

I grinned.

"I'm doing pretty verily myself."

_-x-_

Notes

Awkward Thor, gotta love it. Protective Bruce, also, gotta love it. Next chapter will transition us into another scenario, as expected. This is a complicated battle coming up here, so the whole thing will take a good amount of chapters/POVs to describe. So hold on to your hats!

Thanks again sexy people,

_-Maddie-_